Author's note. With thanks to Jovianokamigirl for her suggestion.
Enjoy and please review.
"And then Wily Kit hit that mutant on the nose, and he screamed and it was really funny," Elita was telling her mate who was listening patiently as he sat crossed legged on the sand. She was in his lap, slightly sticky as she was also sucking an Energon treat in the shape of a lolly.
He listened with a hidden smile as she told him all about this kids' show she and the other Sparklings like to watch. She was so carefree now, with absolutely no worries. Maybe this wasn't such a bad thing after all, being turned into a Sparkling. After all, they could all relax without worrying about the war, and even have some fun at the same time.
Of course, he didn't want them to remain this way until they naturally grew up. But since he'd promised not to interfere this time, he was going to look at the positive aspects.
"That sounds great, Elita," he said softly as she cuddled into his armour.
"I confess I haven't heard of that show before but it does sound good."
Elita giggled.
"You should watch it Optimus, you work too much, always doing boring grown up stuff. You need to play more."
This made Optimus burst out laughing and he lifted her up for a hug.
"I think you're probably right, dearest, I will try and make more of an effort to relax."
Meanwhile, Ironhide and Chromia were busy burying Sideswipe and Sunstreaker in the hot sand with Skywarp's help. Ratchet was off to one side, sitting on Swoop's lap giggling like mad, he was loving this. Most of the other Autobots were enjoying it as well.
"There you go," Chromia giggled as she grabbed a handful of wet seaweed from a small bucket at her side.
"This will make your armour nice and shiny," she continued as she dumped the seaweed on
"How does that work?" the red Lamborghini whined miserably, he and his brother had only agreed to do this because Ratchet had threatened to set the Dinobots on them.
"It just does," Chromia said impatiently, as she scooped a handful of seawater to pour over his armour.
She grinned over at Ironhide and Sunstreaker.
"Are you enjoying your spa treatment, Sunny?"
"My lovely polished armour," the yellow Lamborghini groaned. "It's going to be ruined by all this salt and sand."
"No it isn't," Hound laughed. "Didn't you hear Chromia, this will beautify you."
"Not to mention there's no nasty chemicals involved, it's all natural," Prowl added with a small smile as he sat relaxing on the warm sand.
They had been there for nearly an hour and everyone was pretty relaxed.
Thundercracker and Bumblebee were paddling in the shallow water with Skyfire, each holding his hand. He was laughing as he splashed about, which made both his minders smile. The little Shuttle loved every moment as he searched for organic creatures in the clear blue water.
Skywarp meanwhile was helping Starscream to construct a sand castle with the help of a spade and a bucket of water.
"Heh, just as well we brought those along," Jazz chuckled to Trailblazer as the two Mechs watched the proceedings.
"So, get into any trouble while you guys were on the Con base?" Jazz now asked Elita as she paused in her chatting to suck her Energon treat.
She grimaced.
"Mia got into trouble," she said quietly.
"What sort of trouble?" Optimus said softly but it was Chromia who answered.
"I snuck off when papa was showing us around, though I wasn't meant to."
She then grinned as she said.
"I grabbed some Energon treats, and got into a fight with those silly bug Cons."
"Yeah, and those treats were swell," Ironhide called with a grin, patting some sand onto Sunstreaker whose teeth were gritted.
"But then Soundwave caught me, and he took me to Megatron," Chromia continued, now with a pained look on her face as she decorated sea shells on Sideswipe.
Skywarp nodded sadly as he did the same with Starscream's castle.
"Megatron was really angry, he had to punish my Mia."
"Punish? Punish how?" Optimus asked softly.
"He spanked me," Chromia said grumpily. "And it really hurt."
"I know baby," Skywarp said sadly. "But you were very naughty."
Starscream was now hanging his slightly as he hid behind Skywarp. Ironhide now gave a wry grin and said.
"And then ah got spanked an' all."
"Why did you get spanked?" Bluestreak asked curiously.
"Cause ah bit Screamer hand, cause he was being real mean."
Everyone looked over at Starscream.
"I was," he admitted softly. "And I was enjoying it."
He looked so miserable and sorry that no one had the Spark to be mad. Sparklings couldn't really hide what they truly felt so no one thought he was trying to trick them.
"It's alright Starscream," Optimus said kindly. "We adults sometimes are a bit mean, aren't we?"
"Yeah," Starscream said softly as Optimus held out a hand to him.
And in another moment had rushed into Optimus's arms, hugging him tightly. Everyone awed at the sight, and Skywarp smiled fondly. His Trine leader really wasn't that bad when he let his guard down and loosened up a bit too.
"Ah forgive ya Screamer," Ironhide said softly as the little Seeker buried his face against the Autobot leader's neck.
"Even if ya did get Soundwave ta spank me."
"Baby," Skywarp cooed softly as he reached over and drew Ironhide into his arms for a hug.
"My brave Mech."
"Daddy?"
"And my brave Femme," he added with a laugh as he held out his arms to Chromia as well.
"Me Swoop hug Ratchet," Swoop announced, not wanting to be left out and promptly hugged Ratchet, making the small Medic laugh.
Bumblebee grinned and quickly grabbed Skyfire in a big embrace, and the small Shuttle snuggled into him with a sigh.
And of course, Elita was hugging her mate as well.
There was a happy moment where everyone either hugged or smiled. And then Sunstreaker spoke.
"Can we come out now?"
A few hours later.
"Ramjet should be here soon," Thundercracker said announced softly to everyone.
After a lot of playing in the sand and in the water, everyone was now relaxing on the beach. The Sparklings were all cuddling up to different adults, almost falling asleep. Skywarp smiled at Thundercracker before stretching.
"Come on everyone," Skywarp said tiredly as he got up. "It's time to go."
They all groaned but they were pretty tired. However, as five of the Sparklings made their way over to Skywarp, one remained where he was.
"Come on Starscream, we gotta go," Thundercracker called as he started setting up the harness.
The small Seeker looked at him for a minute and then sighed.
"I don't want to go."
"Now Starscream, we've had a good day," Skywarp started to say firmly. "And we can come out another time."
"No, you don't understand," Starscream said softly, shaking his head.
"I don't want to go back to the Nemesis at all. Not while I'm like this."
He indicated his small body.
"Starscream," Thundercracker started to say but Starscream cut across him.
"I'm meant to be the Second in Command of the Decepticons, but how will any of them ever respect me again if they see me like this?" he said, sounding slightly tearful.
"Don't they alweady know?" Ratchet asked curiously.
"Knowing and seeing are two completely different things," Starscream said quietly.
"Once I'm back to normal, they'll only see a Sparkling giving them orders, they'll just laugh and never listen to me."
He took a deep breath and then stood with his feet firmly planted apart. He folded his arms, and put on his best scowl.
"I'm staying here."
He paused and then added.
"With the Autobots."
Everyone gaped at him in utter shock.
"But Starscream," Skywarp started to say but Starscream interrupted him.
"No, I'm stay HERE!"
"What about us?" Skyfire asked unhappily.
"I thought we were friends."
"We are," Starscream said, his expression softening a tad. "And we can see each other during visits."
"But I can't go back."
"Starscream, Megatron will never allow this...," Skywarp started to say but Starscream yelled.
"I don't care what Megatron thinks, he'll probably laugh and be glad to be rid of me," Starscream snarled, tears now appearing at his optics.
"Now Starscream," Optimus said kindly as he went over to the upset Sparkling.
"I'm sure that's not true."
"It is, it is," Starscream yelled. "He hates me, and always calls me names like stupid and half brained and, and..."
"Oh Starscream," Optimus sighed, scooping the crying Sparkling into his arms and hugging him close.
"You have to let me stay," the white and red Sparkling whimpered. "Otherwise he'll spank me and I don't want to be spanked."
"And don't say he won't, he threatened to do that to me when I was an adult."
"He really threatened to do that?" Bumblebee whispered to Jazz who shrugged.
"Wouldn't surprise me."
Optimus looked a little helplessly at Skywarp who also looked at a loss of what to do. Thundercracker meanwhile looked thoughtful.
"We could always take Starscream back," he said slowly. "If Megatron was utterly against Starscream staying with the Autobots."
"I suppose," Skywarp said thoughtfully, his hand resting on Ironhide's head.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Optimus started to say but then Starscream suddenly whimpered.
"Please let me stay with you, daddy."
Optimus gasped softly, as did several others. There was a moment of ringing silence and then.
"How can I refuse you Starscream. You can stay with us."
As Starscream tearfully looked Optimus in the face, the blue and red Mech twinkled his optics and said.
"With me."
Author's note. How does Megatron react to Starscream's decision? Find out next time.