Strongarm glared at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, who apologized with words, offered hugs, and sweet Energon while they watched her round belly that carried twins. She was furious, and hurt. She refused them, but they kept coming back, begging forgiveness.
She soon caved, knowing she needed the mechs to help her once the sparklings were born. She laid down for Sideswipe to lay on her left and Sunstreaker laid on her right, both of their servos rubbing her belly slowly.
The sparklings inside were femmes. They paddled their pedes and pushed each other around, but stilled whenever they heard their sire and their uncle nearby. Strongarm never left their sides, and when they were stopped in public, she held her ground.
"It's unhealthy to have two sires" "What were you thinking when you did this" "How could you possibly allow this to happen" were greeted with grins and purrs, and three servos fell to Strongarm's belly as they said They are our responsibility now.
Optimus was proud of them, and he often walked with them. His large size and their small ones made them look like his children, and that often got crueler remarks that Optimus met with bared denta and a warning growl.
Strongarm refused to show her face in public, and she often laid in Optimus' lap while the twins stroked her belly.
"They are nearly here now," Optimus whispered into her helm. He shifted her, smiling softly down at her. "Unless you are uncomfortable, we do not require a medic."
She nodded and she smiled softly down at her belly, touching it with both servos. Optimus' servos covered her own and he smiled tenderly down at her.
"Can Bumblebee be here?" She blinked up at Optimus, who looked at the twins down at her pedes. "Can he?"
Sideswipe tapped his comm immediately. Bumblebee was en route as soon as he heard the news.
He arrived later, holding towels and a bucket of water. Optimus purred a thank you and the former warrior sat down next to his former leader. Optimus stroked his helm.
Strongarm felt the first contraction and she yelped, grabbing for servos, of which there were plenty. She blinked thankfully up at all the mechs surrounding her and she purred gently until the next contraction hit her.
The sparklings were distressed, and Sideswipe rubbed her belly to let them know everything was going to be okay. "You're just in for a tight squeeze, that's all."
The mechs around them waited until Sunstreaker chirped for Bumblebee to look. A golden helm was working its way into the world, and Bumblebee patted Strongarm's knee. She was panting and purring weakly.
"First one is yellow," Bumblebee purred. He sat between the twins, who had their optics glued to the helm until the face was visible.
"It's beautiful!"
"Look at that!"
Optimus patted the young femme's helm, making her look up at him. "You are such a young femme, and should not have to experience this at this time, but I am proud of you. You have not uttered a scream or a cry. This does not pain you?"
"It will pain me more if they are wounded and I cannot care for them," Strongarm whispered.
The first sparkling was femme, with yellow armor and black servos and pedes with a silver face. Sunstreaker latched onto her, holding her close and muffling the baby's cries while Strongarm struggled to see her creation. But the next femme was soon coming free, as if it had held onto its sibling's ankle until the very end, and that thought was confirmed when they saw her blue servo first.
Sideswipe tickled it gently, purring. The servo, while it should have clenched, didn't. It was still, and that frightened the twins. Strongarm sensed their fear and she wanted to see what was wrong.
The femme slipped out, the same size as her sister, but stiller and colder. She blinked soft blue optics open and blinked at her sire. Her armor was red and streaked with blue and silver. She was pretty, very pretty. Optimus reached across and petted her cheek with a digit, and her optics brightened upon his touch.
"She is weak, but she will live. She is a pretty femme, and I know you are all proud."
No one answered. They were caught up with the femmes. The yellow one giggled and squealed, and the red one purred quietly.
Strongarm moved closer, touching the yellow one's helm. "Sunshine and Scarlett."
Sunstreaker smiled and looked at his brother, leaning against his side. "You made pretty kids. They are very pretty, and I will have fun teaching them how to polish their armor."
"Aye," Sideswipe grumbled, shaking his helm. Optimus got up and walked out, looking back at them. Bumblebee padded after him and he blinked softly up at the Prime.
"You're leaving?"
"Indeed, and I suggest you do as well. The sparklings need to imprint on their sire and creator." Optimus shut the door softly behind Bumblebee. "Protect them."
"I will," Bumblebee promised. "And I'll see you around?"
"Perhaps," the Prime laughed and he touched his former warrior's helm before he walked away.