My Little Boy

Story Five

Everything

"Hey...!" Cliffjumper smiled as he walked to where Thrash In was. "Nice night, huh?"

A relaxed smile was on Thrash In's faceplates and she nodded towards Cliffjumper.

"Yeah, another party by Grace a success," the femme began. "The lights, the decor… She planned this all out perfectly."

The big graduation bash was a good way to start the summer, and for the recently graduated students to celebrate the end of high school. Cliffjumper and Thrash In, the only Earth born Cybertronians didn't have a formal means of education, but Ratchet did tutor them here and there. If they were on Cybertron, there would be rigorous classes and schooling, though the planet was long gone.

At times Cliffjumper wondered what Cybertron would be like. Was it metallic and bright like his Uncles told him? Prideful and majestic, the towers would gleam as it shined in the day. The roar and the buzz of the city was like the heartbeat of the planet. The uncles and his mother told him it wasn't like Earth's organic texture. The heartbeat of their home ceased to drum eons ago. The planet was now an empty shell. Yet, Cliffjumper always wondered what Cybertron would be like. And he'll never see the home of his ancestors when it was alive and beating.

Though, the future was in sight. Right beside him at this very moment...

He felt himself looking at Thrash In, and he quickly turned away to glance at the lights and the DJ stand. Primus, did she see him looking at her? If she caught him, he was screwed.

It took a long time, but Cliffjumper finally accepted he had feelings for Thrash In. She was the only Cybertronian friend of his, though she was a femme. They knew each other ever since they were sparklings. Even though the conflict between their mothers were still unsettled, they still got along. Arcee was uneasy at first, letting Cliffjumper and Thrash In hanging out. With Uncle Breakdown as her father, some worries were laid to rest, but it didn't stop Arcee looking out for Cliffjumper.

Cliffjumper was unsettled about Thrash In all together. She was strong, resourceful, tactful on the field. While he bumbled and couldn't make up a decision at times as he thought too much, Thrash In pushed him in the right direction and knew what he wanted in the end. What wasn't there to love about her? He could go on and on... but he stopped himself before anything could escalate into something more.

She was the only femme around him. The only Cybertronian female. Was he... only liking her because she was the only Cybertronian femme around him? His feelings may not even be genuine. And he would hurt her for those untrue feelings...

Cliffjumper didn't want that.

Yet, every time he looked into those golden optics, and the violet tinge of her finish... He couldn't help but feel his sparkchamber crackling, almost freezing him in his tracks. Every time he saw her.

"Hey, about last week..."

Thrash In broke the silence.

Turning, it was an excuse to gaze into her bright optics. For such a big father, Thrash In was lucky enough to have a slender frame. He just about lost his breath as the moon gleamed against her finish.

"Thanks again... for when my mom came, and you were around to help me," said Thrash In. "It really helps a lot."

"Hey, no worries...!" smiled Cliffjumper, nodding. "Sure, my mom freaked out, and everything went berserk from there, but I'm glad you're okay after all that happened."

"I heard about the little accident years ago when the Neo Luddites took me and it was you who made a hole in the wall," chuckled the femme. "So I'd doubt that would be bigger."

"What, who told you?"

It was suppose to be a secret...! He didn't mean to display his emotions like that openly all those years ago. They were about six years old in human years! He couldn't have controlled himself all those years ago. He was probably missing her as a best friend...!

"The wall was already unstable before it was broken!" Cliffjumper continued. "Grace or Zane probably spooked me with something, you know how they're not careful, especially at that stage...!"

Each retort only made Thrash In giggle even harder. Despite the frustration, whenever Thrash In's faceplates grinned in laughter... he wanted to hear it again. He wanted to play those giggled over and over in his audios. For such a stoic, serious bot... Her giggles were like melodies. He wanted to keep the song for all of eternity. Yet, there was something in her voice... that sounded like she was crying. That she was still hurt, and nobody saw that she was suffering.

Cliffjumper had to fix it.

"You're alright, though, right?" Cliffjumper came back to seriousness.

The joy from Thrash In's optics drained away, but they remained composed and collective. Whenever anyone brought up her mother, the air would always get tense, even at the mere hint of almost talking about Airachnid.

Thrash In nodded. "Yeah... I'll be fine. Honest! I'm not her."

"And I'm not my mom, either."

Airachnid did hurt Arcee before the war ended... but it didn't mean that Thrash In hurt Cliffjumper. She wouldn't hurt a fly. Well... not on purpose. She couldn't have seen them when she was in her alt mode. Thrash In was Thrash In. That's all what she was to him, no matter who her mother was. And he loved every data grain of her.

A mildly sour look was on her face, but an amused smile drew on her lips. "It would be kind of weird to see you as a femme."

Thrash In chuckled as Cliffjumper's brow scrunched, disturbed. "Alright, I didn't need to see that..."

The music changed, going from it's fast pace dance club like beats to a soft gentle sway. Perfect. The timing couldn't be any better.

"You dance with her tonight, or I'll tell her you went crazy the last time she left for a mission! ... and that time when she was taken by N.L.!"

Grace's dare blared through his audio senses, but someone already told Thrash In the unnecessary blackmail, the threats were worthless.

"Though..." Cliffjumper continued. "It would be kind of hard if I wanted to ask you to dance with me."

A slow smile came on Thrash In. "I'd dance with you either way."

Erasing the images in his processor, Cliffjumper extended his hand.

"For the summer?"

Thrash In returned the formalities.

"For the summer."

They embraced before, but this time when he felt Thrash In's arm wrap around him, he couldn't breathe at all. They felt like gentle embers, caressing his finish with tenderness. It was already the beginning of the song, and already Cliffjumper was beyond nervous. He thought he was going to run away, but his feet were planted firmly where he was.

You calm the storms, and you give me rest… You hold me in your hands. You won't let me fall. You steal my heart, and you take my breath away. Would you take me in, take me deeper now…

He wasn't too familiar with the song, though during a drive with Thrash In one time and listening to random human frequencies, the same song was on and Thrash In seemed to like the melody. All comm links were connected with Watch Tower, the set up base for Cybertronians. Grace must've been listening on to their conversations. (No wonder she knew what song to play tonight.) Cliffjumper made a mental note to tell Ratchet or Optimus to ban all tiny, annoying humans from the control deck.

The beat was soft, but edgy. Every time the lyrics synced in with the emotions brimming inside of him, he thought his circuits would burst. The song was no help from keeping his feelings to be known by Thrash In. At this rate he was extremely obvious. No thanks to certain humans who poked into his private life... Regardless he kept on dancing. Hopefully, he didn't step on Thrash In's foot...

The music then swelled.

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need…! You're everything, everything…!

The lyrics were practically blaring what he was feeling inside. By this point, the cat was already beyond the bag. He felt Thrash In's forehead rest on his shoulder, and he just about tensed from shaking so much. He wouldn't be much of a pillow for her head...

The guitar continued to blare throughout the speakers on the stands.

And how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you. Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

It was just the two of them. The world was gone, and time meant nothing. There was nothing but them. All the awkwardness just went away. And he felt her under his metallic skin.

If only... they could find somewhere to be alone. If only... the world could go away.

So it could be just them.

Would you tell me, how could it be, any better than this…

He did need her. He was moved by her. As for wanting her... maybe needing was off to a good start.

He knew for a fact that she was his only Cybertronian friend, and a femme. Though if he took a chance... maybe he could open up his spark to her. Maybe she even felt the same.

"Shush, they'll hear you...!"

The rustle of grass and giggles of teenage girls sounded way below. Grace was off the hook... For now. The mild interruption didn't spoil the mood. For now, Cliffjumper took in this happy moment... To love with no consequences is hard to find, though Thrash In was it.

She was everything.

Tonight was a happy night.