Author's Note: Hah, I love you guys sooooooooooo much!! So many wonderful reviews! And I especially love those who left the lengthy reviews, too. It's always wonderful to hear your thoughts and idea and comments!
But for those who don't like, don't leave a comment. It's basic enough; if you don't like the story, it's a lot easier to hit the 'back' button than to leave a review telling about how bad this story is. It's wastes my time, your time and especially for those who are falsely accusing me of PLAGIARISM! I didn't steal this story! Anything I've borrow here has been allowed by the creator themselves, and that's only been one thing. So don't leave me such reviews; you'll regret it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. I do not own Nightwind.
Chapter 9: Intruder
"He's so cute!"
"How long have they been like this?"
"Such large optics! Optimus, why didn't you tell us about them sooner?"
Three femmes stared up at the leader, curious yet a bit intimidating all the while. Thundercracker stood behind the larger 'bot, pretending that he didn't exist and attempting to ignore the Dinobot's bloodthirsty stares. Prime, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the tension that was layered thick in the atmosphere and replied to Elita's question, "We've had some…difficulties. Especially with the threat of the Decepticons, and trying to figure out why they changed in the first place, we've been pretty occupied. Skyfire was the one whom suggested that the presence of femmes might be relaxing to the children and might offer them more of a sense of protection. After all, they haven't been with femmes in a very long time."
"Especially with what happened with Blackbird," Nightwind muttered, folding her arms.
"And Lucius," Thundercracker added, a pointed finger popping up behind Optimus's shoulder. "And Desari…"
The blue mech immediately realized he shouldn't have said anything when vicious looks were transferred from Slag and Sludge, making him twitch and turn away. Maybe he should've just kidnapped his family instead of joining the Autobots…
"Exactly," Prime replied, smiling back at Thundercracker, "So I'd like to thank each of you for coming down here to aid us. It's going to be a rough time coming upon us, and every bit of your contributions are respected and thanked."
"It's our pleasure, Optimus," Arcee stated, reaching out to take a hold of Skywarp. "We're happy to give our help and our lives for the sake of these children…"
Elita One took Starscream in turn, gently picking him up and standing upright as she held him to her chassis. Sky-blue optics stared up at her, transfixed and awed at the sight; small fingers touched her faceplates, his spark swelling at the prospect of something that looked so much like his dani, but not at the same time. Already, he felt warm and content in her arms, much like Optimus, but…different. "My name is Elita One, youngling," the femme said softly, a slender finger running down his spine, "What is yours?"
"Starscream," the little one replied happily, his usual shyness seeming to dissolve in front of the comforting optics. He then twisted about, pointing a finger at his cousin while saying, "And that's Skywarp. He's kinda crazy, but he's very nice."
Elita's smile deepened, her gaze moving over to the violet one who was finding Arcee to be the most amazing thing he'd seen in his life. Despite the fact that the maroon femme was more of a warrior than a dani, she still had far more compassion in her than most of her companions. She was also more firm in her ways of training, which the combination of the two would work perfectly for Skywarp. The little one clicked and twittered, part of his nervous habit when meeting new people, and was completely shocked when he was returned with the same speech. Arcee grinned as she nuzzled him softly, and the tiny sparkling giggled again.
The mini-Seeker was suddenly plucked from her clutches, however, when Nightwind so easily snatched him away. "I'm surprised he's so calm," she commented, amused as she watched the little one squirm and crawl up her arm.
"He wasn't before Thundercracker came," Optimus murmured, gesturing to the blue mech. "He's helped us out a lot with the hardships we've had to face along with the children. I'd still be in the dark without him." All optics turned to the neutralist, Thundercracker once again hiding in the shelter of Prime's large frame. He was actually quite comfortable there. No need to show himself out in the open. Optimus surely didn't seem to mind. "I'm sure he'll continue to help us in the future."
"Hold on a sec," Nightwind suddenly stated, strutting up to the two, the leader passive while the other was not, and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Did you even taking them flying?"
There was a silence. "No," Thundercracker replied after a minute.
"Why?" she exclaimed, looking drawn back. "You do realize that—"
"Yes, I know that they need it, but they've been like this for only a few weeks! I only got here a couple orns ago," the other Seeker muttered, peeking out from behind Prime. "Besides, they could easily get captured that way."
"But how will they possibly know how to escape such a situation if they don't know how?" the ebony mech hissed, throwing her hands up into the air. Skywarp squealed in delight, following the action. The other leaned back in fear; the violet ball of energy twittered happily, bobbing his legs over Nightwind's helm. "Are you even listening to me, Thundercracker?!"
Arcee laughed outright, noticing the reaction of the male's part from seeing Skywarp's excitement. "I think he's a little distracted by the ticking bomb that's on your head, Nightwind."
The ebony femme halted as if noticing it for the first time, glancing up with bright optics at the youngling. "Him? Really?" she asked, sounding even baffled as she glanced back down and her penetrating stare scored across the blue mech, "And to think; men pride themselves in their bravery and poise, yet when a single youngling get out of their hands, they vanish like plague. You truly do not know how to take care of younglings, do you?"
"We obviously do!" Thundercracker cried, bouncing next to Prime. "Or else they would be dead!"
"True," Arcee said, wandering over to where Elita was, "And how far have you gotten to uncovering their hidden truths?" Silence laced over the environment whilst Thundercracker and Optimus took a quick glance at one another, though the 'absolute' truth was still blinded to them. Their past, however, was not. It was now, and simply, connecting the two.
"Not very far, obviously," Nightwind commented, taking Skywarp into her clutches, staring at him. After a minute of gazing-at-the-sparkling, she turned back to the leader and said, "Have you tried asking the children themselves?"
Shock rippled through the two, optics becoming trained on Prime alone, who appeared passive as always before he said, "We have not. I hadn't thought of that before…why it hadn't crossed my mind previous, I do not know."
"Well, it's a good thing we came then, huh?" Arcee exclaimed with a laugh.
"What that?"
The voice made Thundercracker jump and frightened optics shifted over to where the Dinobots were, the titanic mech deemed Grimlock himself was looming over Elita, interest flickering on his expression as he peered to see what she was holding. Starscream stared up at the massive Autobot in pure fear; he even snuggled deeper into Elita's chassis in attempts to comfort himself, afraid that the huge one might try to harm him. As a matter of fact, he even held a resemblance to…
"This is Starscream, Grimlock," the rosy femme replied, turning her body so that the other had a better view of the youngling, "But he's very small and fragile, so we've come to protect them against Megatron. He's just a baby."
"Baby?" the less-than-brilliant soldier asked, cocking his head. He then glanced down at the little one who was continuing to press himself against the shelter of Elita's body, the sudden and extremely strong urge of wanting Optimus near becoming almost overwhelming. The leader himself felt this need, but wanted to give the Dinobots a chance. Thus, he walked over to Elita, sheltering her body to the rex, but not intervening. Grimlock bent over, merely inches away from Starscream's face as he contemplated the situation. "But…he big last time Grimlock saw."
"He's small, now," Elita countered, realizing that the petrified youngling did not enjoy having such a fiery and intimidating mech up so close. "Which is why we all need to protect him, understand?"
"Tiny one cute," Sludge stated across from them, Nightwind's size dwarfing compared to him as he inspected Skywarp. Against Starscream, the violet one was extremely interested in the enormous mechs, curious optics gazing straight into the other's as he watched, with a smile, what the huge dino was going to go do next.
Grimlock glanced over to his respective colleague and, in turn, decided that it was a good idea that he should like the little guys, too. From this, he reached out and scooped up Starscream from his last source of comfort before lifting him high into the air, the sunlight hitting his pearly paint in a sense that almost made him glow. His dark helm, arms and legs contrasted this, a combination that Grimlock found that he liked. He was a cute baby! Bringing the little one back down from the sky, the leader of the Dinobots then shifted his stance, remembering something from a show that he saw once on the holovid. The baby seemed to like it, so Starscream should, too.
Placing the sparkling into the crook of his arm, Grimlock gently swayed his hips, all the while nuzzling the tiny body with his finger. Starscream, who had been completely petrified from the start at noticing Grimlock's intense similarity to Blackbird spark-wrenching, was now calming down from the point of tears. The rhythm the massive mech was making relaxed his tensed limbs, unraveling the tight bound of anxiety from his frame. After a few minutes of this, along with the soothing rubbing of his finger along Starscream's body, the little 'bot just couldn't help…but get a little sleepy…
"Out like a light," Arcee observed from where she stood. She then regarded Grimlock, who was thoroughly pleased with himself that he got the reaction he intended upon the little one, before saying, "Good job, big guy. Way to make an awesome first impression."
"Me Grimlock always make good impression!" he exclaimed, giving the femme a funny look.
"Riiight. You think you're giving it to people when you really aren't," Nightwind countered, rolling her optics. They quickly shifted back to Sludge, who had finally managed to part the two, whilst throwing Skywarp into the air. The violet ball of energy squealed and squeaked with pure delight, laughing in between. "Let's just hope it lasts."
"What did I tell you, huh?" Optimus asked quietly of Thundercracker, who stared in disbelief at Grimlock, "Give people a chance, Thundercracker…"
"Hehe…sure…" the blue mech gulped, trying to get over the emotions Starscream had been broadcasting when Grimlock had taken him into his enormous clutches. Fear. Plea. Need for comfort. Need for Prime. "Chance…"
--
Upon returning to the Autobot base, most mechs had been thoroughly shocked at the sight of Grimlock cradling Starscream in his arms. The tiny form of the ivory Seeker was almost unseen in the shelter of the colossal Autobot's arms, even when only one was holding the baby. Starscream hadn't woken up since, even to Grimlock's occasional thrashing, and had become quite contended in the huge mech's chassis. Sideswipe, however, almost something akin to a heart attack when he saw the Dino carrying Starscream with a single hand and had quickly relieved the leader of his charge.
"You're holding him wrong!" the crimson Lamborghini accused, wrapping up Starscream's small form in his favorite blanket. "Optimus, what's wrong with you?!"
"What are you talking about?" the red and blue Autobot asked, looking utterly innocent as he entered the base.
"Letting the Dinobots hold Starscream! They're not particularly the most gentle mechs around, you know!" Sideswipe growled, casting a glare over to Grimlock.
The statement was extremely offensive to ebony mech, who took no reservation to show and defend himself: "Tiny 'bot enjoy Grimlock holding him! Stupid race car no understand! Grimlock made good first impression, Arcee say so!"
"I did say so," the warrior femme declared, standing up to Sideswipe and growling, "He lulled him to sleep, Sideswipe, so show some respect. They're trying, okay?"
"Sure, whatever," the red mech scoff, obviously unconvinced. "Well, my shift is over so I'm going to…"
Sideswipe's expression dropped when he noticed yet another huge Autobot came into the room, one in particular that was throwing a bundle of wires up into the air and catching it. Quickly glancing at his brother, Sunstreaker was transfixed at the sight, unknowing of what it was until a rather loud squeak rippled through the room. Then he went nuts.
"Give me the sparkling," he said dangerously as he strode up to Sludge, holding out his hands. "Now."
"But Sludge and little one having fun! Go 'way!" growled the other, shrugging the other off. "Me like playing with little one!"
"Little one is about to get crushed from your recklessness!" Sunstreaker barked, gracefully taking the enormous mech's hip and vaulting himself onto the dino's shoulder. Skywarp chirruped in delight at seeing his caretaker and eagerly held out his arms, motioning him to pick the smaller up. The yellow twin took no hesitation in doing so, and before Sludge could even make a grab at the Lamborghini, Sunstreaker was on the ground and hugging the smaller into his chassis. "You might think it's fun and games," scolded the sadistic twin who truly was not so sadistic right now, "but they're not just toys you can play with! They living creatures; they need to be treated with gentleness and good care!"
"Stole my words right outta my mouth, Sunny," Bluestreaker stated while walking up to the two, looking like he was ready to battle the Decepticons.
"All right, now stop, everyone," Optimus coaxed gently, noticing that Skywarp was already becoming weary from the tension between the two. Starscream hadn't woken up yet, but it appeared that his rest wasn't as peaceful as the leader had hoped. "Now, I want everyone to relax. You have to understand the reasons of the Dinobots being here; besides the fact that they are completing their training, they are extremely capable warriors. The protection they can provide for the younglings will be implacable; we need their strength now more than every if we're going to handle Megatron—"
"But Optimus, we could—" Ironhide began.
"—whom we cannot stand against by ourselves. Now, Grimlock and Sludge and all the rest are as much of a mech as any of you are; it's unfair to strictly forbid them from having contact with the children. They obviously seem to suit with them just fine, and so long as the Dinobots do not attempt to outright harm the younglings, then I say it's okay to let them play with the kids. Do I make myself clear?" Optimus boldly stated, his intimidating gaze scoring across the Autobots, daring for their defiance.
None replied with anything, but they were clearly still upset with the idea of having the Dinobots' presences mingle with the sparklings'.
"Good," Prime replied, returning to his usual passive self, "Now, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker have their shifts off, they can take the younglings to feed them and some time off. No going outside, however, it's getting dark out. I'm going to brief the Dinobots, Arcee and Nightwind about our position. Elita," he said, turning to his bond-mate, "get comfortable with the younglings?"
"I would love to," she replied, a smile warming her features. Turning to the twins who still had their skeptical, if not down-right displeased gazes on the Dinobots, she ushered them from the hangar bay and towards the rec room. Once out of earshot from the massive mechs, Sideswipe immediately showed his disliking of the newcomers.
"Those stupid, melodramatic, dim-witted," he continued to mutter, nuzzling Starscream affectionately, even possessively, as his did so.
"You cannot blame them for trying," cooed Elita, shaking her head, "If it was worse, they could've seen the younglings as a threat and tried to eliminate them. Would you have rather that happen than Grimlock lull Starscream to sleep?"
The twins remained silent for a moment, avoiding her demanding gaze despite its gentle aspect. Finally, Sunstreaker shifted his far more lax expression back to her and stated, "It's not that as much as the fact that as for the good intentions that they have, they might screw it up. I wouldn't want to see either of them get hurt because the Dinobots decided to go too far if they were playing or whatever."
"I understand," Elita replied softly, "and we'll punish them suitably if that time comes. For now, let's try to play nice, shall we?"
"Argh…" Sideswipe groaned, but was less fruitless in his efforts to refuse. "Let's just get the kids some energon and then we can watch a movie or something."
"'Ood?" Skywarp asked, bouncing in Sunstreaker's arms. "'m hungy!"
"Well, we'll get you lots of energon then," the golden twin replied with a smirk. "It's good that you're talking like a big-bot now."
"He's so cute! And you males say you had such difficulties…" taunted Elita, throwing a grin towards Sunstreaker.
The Lamborghinis scoffed at the same time, then stomped forward, their mission: the rec room. Elita was left behind, but she had a broad smile across her faceplates, a knowing look. They truly care for them…to think, such little creatures having such power over those burly, battle-worn mechs! The mere thought made her spark float, her mind wandering back to Prime. She was curious as to how he reacted to the children; she had always wondered, but she knew in the back of her mainframe that he was a perfect parent. His gentle methods with the Autobots, the right of freedom and fairness for all was a sure sign of how he would treat his future children. Elita couldn't wait—and she probably wouldn't have to.
Walking into the rec room behind the twins, the rosy femme smiled upon seeing Jazz, Mirage, and Blurr occupying the vicinity. With noticing her, the three mechs rushed to their feet and bowed respectively, Jazz exclaiming after straightening, "Elita! What're you doing here?!"
"I've come to aid Optimus and the children. Why, what's wrong? Sick of me already?" she teased.
"Never! You've come to help with the kids? This is great!" the silver and ebony mech countered, genuinely pleased to see her. "Hey, you're feeding them right now, aren't you? You guys should let me help!"
"All right," Elita responded, stepping in front of the twins as she reached into the cabinets to retrieve the special formula meant for the younglings' frail systems.
"Do you know how to make it?" Sideswipe asked.
The femme rolled her optics, shaking her head as she turned to him and said, "You're joking, right? A dani knows everything that deal with children."
"Do they really?" Blurr asked, cocking his head.
"Of course. It's imprinted on our processors at the moment of our creation. It's the men that are meant to protect us," she replied while giving them a taunting grin, infuriating most. "But don't be so put down. Being with the children really brings out your feminine side, doesn't it?"
"Does not!" Sideswipe exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air. The action, however, made Starscream jerk awake, his tiny body quivering somewhat. The red mech noticed this and coaxed him immediately, well aware of the frightening nightmare's he had been victim to were no doubt playing a toll on him. After a few moments of rubbing a gentle hand down his spine, Starscream relaxed into Sideswipe's body and nuzzled him.
"'Sides…I'm glad you're here," the little one whispered, "I dreamt that I had been caged and you were right outside…but you couldn't hear me when I wanted out…"
The description was almost spark-wrenching, Sideswipe briefly shuttering his optics as he felt guilt lay down on him, even though he did nothing. "I would never leave you in a cage…okay?"
Starscream nodded against his neck, snuggling against the warm chassis, seeking out Sideswipe's warmth. "I know," he replied softly.
The red twin couldn't help but stare at him for a moment, feeling the impossibility of the situation arise. His little Star. He wouldn't let those nightmares come true on the life of him; he promised this to Optimus, to Starscream, and to himself. "Are you hungry, little buddy?" he asked before the tiny 'bot could drift off to sleep again.
Starscream needn't replied, for, as if on cue, his body made a few clicks and then revved, an obvious sign that his systems were parched. "Oopsies…" the mini-Seeker said, large optics scoring embarrassingly to the floor. Skywarp giggled.
"It's all right," Elita said, giving Sideswipe the formula, and then another for Sunstreaker. She addressed Jazz, then, saying, "You and I will feed them next time, all right? They've had a long day meeting new people, it would be best if they're handled by their well-known guardians tonight."
Jazz grumbled something incoherent, obviously not finding the decision agreeable. Despite this, the promise of getting to help next time eased him into a displeased mech, but one that didn't find it worth making a fuss over. Taking the supplements, the two brothers wandered over the couches and sat down respectively, one on one couch and the other across from him. Sunstreaker cradled Skywarp against his broad, warm chassis, the sparkling himself fitting perfectly into the crook of his arm as he awaited the sweet liquid to be placed on his eager mouth.
As Sunstreaker poured the mixture into a cup, bright, energetic optics were trained on every move, watching him steadily as the yellow 'bot finally had it prepared. Skywarp smiled with great intensity as Sunstreaker lifted the cup to his little charge's lips, the violet one taking no hesitation to guzzle it down. The twin found this to be peaceful; even as the most vulgar Autobot compared to his colleagues, Sunstreaker couldn't deny the love he felt for the little one, the trust he openly gave in return. Skywarp was completely relaxed as tiny fingers curled around the large mech's thick ones, something he did as a form of voluntary reliance.
Despite Sunstreaker's known sadistic nature, his hate that he could so easily develop in any other situation, it all seemed to evaporate at the sight of little Skywarp. It was ironic, the more the twin thought about it, how such a tiny tyrant that could create so much chaos in the environment around him was what brought peace to the golden one. Figures. As far as things went, Sunstreaker might as well have been his opi. He believed that his love and devotion for the little one was that much—he was the only one that could put up the violet ball of insanity, live through it, and still survive the next day. Beyond that, have Skywarp listen to him in turn. But Sunstreaker didn't mind. As a matter of fact, he'd learn to come to love it.
The purple and ebony youngling burped in response to the cup being taken away, his innards revving happily at the nourishment being given. Glancing up at Sunstreaker, Skywarp then tucked himself against the larger one's chassis, his little feet gently tapping against the battle-worn armor, hands reaching out and grasping Sunstreaker around the neck. Small whispers slipped out of the little one's lips, and though they were incomprehensible, the golden twin could care less. His little 'Warp. Someone so fragile, so reckless, but who trusted him with his little life. A life so precious, Sunstreaker would kill or be killed to protect it. Forever and always.
Fo'evwer and a'ways, a tiny voice said in the mech's CPU.
--
"Optimus," Starscream said softly, reaching out his tiny arms in a sleepy fashion as the Autobot sovereign came into his optical view.
"Hello, little one," Prime whispered as he took the small form of the Seeker into his frame, his large arms sheltering the little 'bot from everything else. "Did you have a nice time with Sideswipe?"
"Yes…we played games and watched a movie and…(yawn)…I'm tired…" he murmured, fiddling with a cable that jutting out from Optimus's shoulder. "Sleep…"
"Yes, we'll go to recharge now," the commander concurred gently, nuzzling the tired baby with a large finger. He turned to Sideswipe, smiling gently as he said, "Thank you for taking care of him. And I ask your forgiveness about the situation with the Dinobots—I simply believe that no one gives them a chance to prove themselves; they have feelings as much as we do."
"Yeah, I know," the red mech muttered, rubbing behind his head as his optics cast to the floor. "Elita said the same—I thought about it for awhile, and then I noticed that I had been doing it to all the Autobots lately…Jazz doesn't even bother anymore, trying to spend time with the kids I mean, and he feels really left out. I talked to him, too, and I felt really bad afterwards. I'll try to be more considerate, I just…I didn't even think that I would get that protective over Star. I do the same for Sunny, though I know he can handle himself. I'm just afraid for the little guy…"
Optimus's optics warmed with a smile, the honesty and respect in Sideswipe's own orbs marking his truth. "I understand," the leader thrummed, a feather light touch brushing down Starscream's back, "We all learn from our mistakes; as I did when we first had to deal with the little ones, and even now. We act as one in both their lives, a different piece that we might not necessarily be able to show them all the time, but know that we're always there. We've all grown in respect to this—this includes your own brother. You have noticed how much he's matured over the very short time he's spent with Skywarp. Barely a month and he's already acting more respectful, if not gentler to those around him."
"You're right…we've even fought less, too, cause…cause we're always dealin' with the kids," Sideswipe said with wide optics to show his surprise. "I never realized…"
"Yes, it's not a big surprise that you should be growing in respect to having a youngling around you; I think that when a sparkling is created, so is a parent," replied Optimus with a steady tone.
The crimson mech's optics shone for a moment, as if he was thinking something distant, before he nodded and broke his trance. "Yeah…can't wait to have my own someday," he murmured before turning around, heading back to his own dorm, "I'll be working in the morning, Prime, so Jazz is gonna handle the little guy."
"Wait," Optimus stated, taking the other's shoulder before he could leave, "I'm also going to have Wheeljack run some tests on the little ones. Ironhide and myself are going to investigate the surrounding area to see if there is any Decepticon activity. They've been quiet for far too long…would you like to come?"
Sideswipe pondered a moment, then smiled and gave him a stout nod. "Would love to."
--
"Aw, is the little baby tired?" Elita crooned, taking Starscream off Prime's hands as he made the bed for the little one. "Let's get you all snuggly in your bed, okay?"
"Okay," the miniature Seeker murmured, hugging Elita to his tiny body as the pink one held him back.
"His blanket is filthy…" Optimus muttered, inspecting the cloth that was pinched between his fingers with distaste at the brown/black blotches that stained the soft-blue hue of it. "We'll need to wash it tomorrow. You wouldn't mind doing that for me, would you?"
"Of course not. A clean baby is a healthy baby," she replied happily, a smile crossing her features, "and a healthy baby is a happy baby."
Prime glanced over at his bond-mate, his spark warming at the sight of his love freely offering her abilities and kindness for the guarantee of contentment to Starscream. As an heir to the throne, he always had the continuous mind-set for protecting and ensuring the health of Cybertron; besides this, however, the next greatest thing was the fact that he wanted to raise a family. Finding and falling in love with Elita was one step to that dream—seeing her now with Starscream was something a glimpse of what could be, be it that it had come true already. Hopefully. Optimus begged to Primus that it'd be so.
"He's growing new armor," Prime said softly while walking over to her, smoothing a thick finger down Starscream's frail back.
"Is he now? Growing big and strong already, are we?" Elita asked, smiling down upon Starscream.
"It's actually beige; I thought it was strange, but he seems to be fine with it," Optimus added, using a finger to open the little one's chest to Elita's view. "See it? Right there?"
Brilliant optics grew wide with surprise as she looked upon it before nodding, saying, "Perhaps it's his body's way of reacting to this situation around him. There's been a lot of stress going on, hasn't there?"
"Yes, mostly due to the Decepticons," responded the leader, unable to shield the tone of disdain his voice had in it. He held still for a moment, allowing the anger to fizzle out before he turned to Elita, relaxing, before saying, "Let's get you to bed, little one."
Starscream nodded before reaching out to Prime, taking his thick finger and hugging it to him. He then glanced at the other's bond-mate and nuzzled against her chassis, Optimus's finger still captive. The leader felt his spark surge with a sudden and violet need of protecting, nurturing, even holding the youngling. He brought Elita into his frame, wrapping his warm arms around the two as he believed he'd never get the chance to do so. Starscream curled up, holding both the most comforting people he had ever met—a femme, gentle and lulling, a mech, protective and reassuring. Blackbird had stolen everything from him; and, from these two people alone, he felt almost like…he could…
He could call them…
"He's asleep," Elita whispered, leaning into her husband. "You know, I actually could think of him as my own, Optimus…"
"As could I," Prime returned, tightening his grip involuntarily, "and I want him to be…"
Elita smiled up at him, a truly loving smile that sent that curling warmth into Optimus's systems once again; a feeling he had missed and craved so much. A youngling that gave them a new life—a femme that completed him; they acted as the single force that drove Prime. And he promised to himself, Primus as his witness, that he would never let it slip out of his hands again. Elita hummed softly, rocking a snoozing Starscream, the soft thrumming of her vocal eventually forming into words of a lullaby. Bending over, she tucked in the little one, smoothing a hand over his tiny helm as she did so.
Optimus shifted over and pecked him gently on the forehead, Starscream mumbled something incoherent as he did so. The bearer of the Matrix smiled at this, nuzzling him gently before rising again. "No nightmares tonight, then."
"Opi…luk…" Starscream whispered, a miniature hand still curled around Prime's.
"I'll be here…" he glanced at Elita. "We'll be here."
"Always," she added, kissing the little one. "Always."
"Dani…"
--
"You're holding him wrong!" Nightwind hissed, elbowing Sunstreaker in the side.
He glared at her. "You're holding your face wrong!"
Skywarp giggled. Nightwind saw red—and Sunstreaker knew it, too, not just by her optic color. Tonight was going to be a loooong night.
--
A/N: Read and review, please.