*cough cough* *hack*
Sorry...my friend managed to infect me her virus cough and now I'm coughing like crazy! It's been going on for nearly a month, and I have choir next year at the beginning of the school, if I don't get this coughing fit to die, I'll die!
Let's see..what do we have here? A new chapter and a new thrill and adventure for Sides, I'm telling ya, I love the previous chapter, makes me feel all nice and warm. But this chapter might make Sunny all burning up. It's not a metaphor... Just read on and you'll know what I'm talking about. Enjoy.
Blaster and Jazz ran past Ironhide, Ratchet and even Wheeljack, cackling with glee. Blaster lost his footing when they come to a corner but he regained them and start to follow behind his friend. The two had just pulled a harmless prank on Prowl and Optimus and was very pleased by it. Placing a small bomb on Prowl's desk and when he touched it, it exploded and completely covered the tactician with pink glittery dust.
Optimus had a similar treatment only he's now rainbow-coloured and completely lost on what had happened. Prowl however, wouldn't let his best friend and his best friend to get away with it easily. Coughing out some of the dust, he track them via energy signatures.
"No way are they running away after that," growls the SIC. The computer screen finally shows two dots that matches the duo's sparks, directly smack dabbed in the rec room. Prowl grins minutely. "Got you.."
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"Could you tell me why you're doing all the pranks?" questioned the glittery tactician to the two miscreants. He had sent Ratchet to do all his work for him so he could at least wipe some of the glitters off his armour. Sadly only the pink dust disappeared, not the glitters.
"We got bored.." Blaster answered whilst rubbing his dented helm after being striked by the Hatchet's wrench.
"So we decided to do Sideswipe's prank for him," Jazz continued, not even caring the dent on his own helm. Prowl narrowed his optics to hide his twitching. Leave it to Jazz to do someone else's dirty work for them. The glare he sent to the two bots made Blaster cringe and scoot backwards towards Jazz, using him as a shield, meanwhile the TIC doesn't seem to be affected.
"Well then, why don't you head down to the washracks and get a couple of human-sized toothbrush, simple punishement don't you think?" grin the ever stoic tactician. Both Jazz and Blaster couldn't say a word at his tone and grin, this would be the very first time they see his devious side, and they're scared of it.
"C'mon boss, ya don' think it's that bad do ya?" Jazz tried to ease up the punishment by using his charms. Prowl leaned forward, chin in hands. He seems to look thoughtful for a while which made both saboteur and Communications Officer a little hopeful. But with Prowl, hope can sometimes crash like a 20 pound chicken learning how to fly from a roof.
"Not that bad? Jazz, I look like Sunstreaker having too much coat of wax!" snarl the tactician. His optics went from a calm pale blue to something deadlier, something that only happens when he's royally PO'd. The duo jumped back and saluted shakily, shouting a 'yes sir! Right away sir!' before running out of the office to get some toothbrushes and soapy water.
Prowl lean back and cycle a couple of deep breath, calming his circuits. At least they listened to him this time. Next time however, will be a different story.
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When he woke up that morning, he knew something wasn't right. He feels heavier, his optics are blurry, core temperature are higher than usual and his anti-virus is working, that shouldn't happen..
Looking down, he saw Sideswipe curling up into a ball by his chestplates. The sparkling's blanket was thrown off now he's searching for warmth using his brother. Smiling, he grabs the blanket that was by the tiny pedes and wrap it around the little frame. Sideswipe squeaked in his sleep and pops his thumb into his mouth as his brother moved him higher towards Sunstreaker's face.
The yellow warrior strokes his brother's helm and gently placing a kiss so he wouldn't be awaken. Checking his chronometer, he realizes that it's around 8am and Sideswipe would soon wake up demanding his morning feed. Groaning, Sunstreaker pushed himself up and went over to the cabinets, pulling his brother's bottle and got the energon mix done.
True enough, after a few minutes of warming the bottle, Sunstreaker heard soft whimpering from his room. Peeking, he sees Sideswipe opening his optics and look around for his brother. At first Sunstreaker thought he should get him now, but then he decided to just wait and see what would happen next.
When he realized that no one came to at least hug him, Sideswipe look around the room to see where his brother had went, but he found nothing but an empty room. The sparkling chirped and called out to his brother but still nothing, crawling out of his blanket, he decided to get off the berth to find the older mech but the floor was way too far. Whimpering again, he just sat there and cry.
"Aww Sides..you're a softie aren't you?" murmured Sunstreaker, stepping out from his viewing point to get his brother. The sparkling chirrups when large warm hand capture him and embracing him. Sunstreaker wipes off some of the tears as he continues to hug his little sparkling brother. Sideswipe clicks happily, bouncing in Sunstreaker's arms when a bottle is suddenly in his view. The pink liquid sloshed around inside, making the red mechling's tanks rumble with hunger.
"C'mere, let's not waste anymore time," chuckle the older mech. Sideswipe chirps and reach out, quickly taking in the bottle's tip and drinking the contents happily.
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"Can someone watch over him for a while? I need to check the roaster," Sunstreaker said as he step into the rec room. The place is busy with mechs who are taking a break before changing shifts.
"You better! Do you have any idea how troublesome it is to cover your shift and Sideswipe's? I wonder why Prowl suddenly came to a realization to give you some time off just to take care of that menace?" Cliffjumper suddenly appear from the crowd. Sunstreaker turned his attention to him, mouth pressed into a tight line.
Most of the minibots and mechs went silent, wondering if either of them would start killing each other. Both minibot and frontliner lock optics on each other, not doing anything.
"Someone better call Prowl or Prime just in case Sunny went ballistic," whispered Blaster to Powerglide. The plane nods in agreement but he was too much in a trance to call neither of them.
"Well then, why don't you take care of him, as you got nothing to do right now. While I go and demand for at least some work from our pricky SIC, I want Sides here to be taken care by one of the most hard-headed mechs here. Congrats 'Jumper, I might be leaving for quite a while,"
With that, he dumped the blinking red sparkling onto the stunned Cliffjumper's arms and went off without looking back.
"Great! Now we can play with him!" grins Bumblebee happily. His fellow minibot friend turns around to look at the happily smiling bug with a twitching optic.
"Are you serious? Why is he suddenly asking me to watch this devil? I didn't do anything!" shriek the minibot causing Sideswipe to cry. Bumblebee huffed and went straight for the mechling and grab hold of him before Cliffjumper could do anything worse.
"Don't scare him 'Jumper! He's just a sparkling and you know what sparklings love," cooed Bumblebee as he tickles the giggling sparkling.
"And what would that be..?" murmured a very unhappy Cliffjumper.
"Lots and lots and LOTS of cuddling. Look at his face, isn't it the most adorable thing you've ever seen?'
"It's Sideswipe, I don't see anything cute about him,"
"Sparkling 'Jumper, sparkling,"
"Still nothing,"
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"Why...am I so..tired..?"
Sunstreaker trudged along the halls of the Ark, cycling double the amount of air he intakes. His vision starts to dim and warnings pop up indicating his high core temperature. Even when his energy slowly starts to drop, he continues to make his way towards the duty roaster which is just a few hundred metres away.
Sadly he worn out right in front of the medbay and fell forward with a crash. Ratchet, who's been in the medbay organizing his tools, heard the crash and went out to check what had happened, when he sees the fallen mech he quickly called out First Aid and Swoop.
"Stupid slagging idiot. He got a damn virus that he didn't even know!" snarl the CMO once he finishes the scan on Sunstreaker. The frontliner had awaken shortly after he was placed on the berth and now staring at Ratchet with tired optics. Said mech is now looming over him like a hungry eagle.
"Now tell me, how the fraggin' Pit did you manage to infect yourself with this amount of virus?" Ratchet was known for his scary intimidations, and usually he'd use that against his patients whether it's Autobot or Decepticon. Once you're in his medbay, you're automatically in his claws.
Sunstreaker blinked slowly, running through his memory files to see what really had happened until he got sick. Then he saw one file dated just a couple of days ago when he uploaded the data for lullabies. Sideswipe had been a little upset that day because he couldn't sleep so Sunstreaker decided to change songs, apparently he forgot to check if there were any viruses.
"My bad.." was the only reply Ratchet got. The medic is surprised to hear the truth from the psychotic mech. Usually Sunstreaker would put up a fight and won't back down easily, this is new... Ratchet straighten himself and shout out something at his apprentices just as Sunstreaker slip into recharge.
Even so, his spark worries for his brother.
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"Sunny?" ask the red mechling. First Aid is holding him close as Ratchet continues to scan Sunstreaker who is now half awake thanks to the sedatives.
"He'll live. Nothing more like a human common cold. Might feel like slag the next few days depending on his anti-virus. Energon all the time and plenty of recharge, you're on bedrest sunflower," grins Ratchet when Sunstreaker glared weakly at him. But he turned serious quickly.
"However, Sideswipe's anti-virus is still not developed properly so you can't take care of him this few days. I'm sorry Sunstreaker but he needs to be hand over to someone else,"
Sunstreaker's optics went wide when Sideswipe was violently ripped away from him. "My brother...you can't..!" he growls out weakly. He felt so weak and pathetic, the only thing he could do is lie down and move his arms only slightly. His chest feels like it's on fire and his processor ache like crazy.
"Your condition isn't safe for your brother, if you want him to be healthy then I suggest you stay put, don't make a fuss and let. Him. Go."
Sunstreaker knew he couldn't win this fight so he reluctantly look away with a whispered 'take care of him'. Ratchet promised him that Sideswipe would be at the top condition once Sunstreaker is fit enough to take him back. Taking a confused sparkling from his sibling is quite challenging because said sparkling wants to be by his brother's side.
"Sunny..? Sunny! Sides want Sunny!" shrieks the mechling. First Aid hold him nice and tight so that he won't fall from his constant struggling. Ratchet easily plucks him out and give him the stern look that shuts him almost immediately.
"You're gonna go with Aid and be a good sparkling, you hear me? I want my apprentice in one piece tomorrow, recharge and refuel like usual or I'll put an IV through you,"
First Aid pouts behind his mask, no way can one mere sparkling cause too much trouble, unlike last time.. Aid shuddered inwardly when he remembered what had happened when he, Bluestreak and Fireflight took care of him months ago. He'd have to learn from his mistakes so something like that wouldn't happen again.
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Night quickly roll in, replacing day so the inhabitants of the Earth could get their well-earned sleep and the nocturnals to venture out, roaming the lands in search for food.
Just outside the Ark, an owl is silently watching the large spaceship from a nearby tree where it's perching, but then it opens its majestic wings to fly off into the night for some vermin to munch on. Everything falls into a silent wave, midnight reaches in slowly as the stars twinkle high in the heavens.
All was peaceful, but only three of the Ark's passengers aren't sleeping peacefully. Sunstreaker lies in the medbay, alone and longing. He gaze out of the window to look at the stars. Somewhere out there is Cybertron, a place, no, a home to all of them. That's where the twins had been growing from sparklings, to mechlings, to full-grown adult mechs.
It's also the home of his finest memories with Sideswipe, just before the war broke off shaking the planet apart and it's inhabitants to live separate lives. Neutrals, Autobots and Decepticons. His brother had been with him all the time, not even taking a step behind but by his side and in front of him when he needs reaching.
No one can take Sideswipe's place.
Sunstreaker tried to send as much reassurance as he could through the bond but he's far too tired to do more. Plus, he wouldn't want to strain his spark, it could be dangerous for his brother if he suddenly went into spark stasis. Looking around the medbay, it would seem he's the only resident.
"Side..swipe.." whispers Sunstreaker when the final dose of sedatives finally won the battle and he fell into a dark, empty abyss.
In First Aid's room, things aren't going so well for both of them either. Sideswipe refuses to eat or sleep and First Aid is trying his best to calm the deafening cries. He tried everything, placing Sideswipe over his spark, humming soft Cybertronian lullabies, making funny sounds, playing toys with him and such, but nothing seems to be working. First Aid's patience is now wearing thin.
"Maybe leaving you with me is a bad idea, clearly you just want to be with your brother's side from the beginning," huffed the little apprentice. If only Ratchet would allow him to use sedatives on sparklings, that way everything would be on the easy road. Sadly Sideswipe is far too young for such a thing. It might result in a system crash.
"Since I can't do anything to calm you down, maybe we can go to Hound for his holograms. I bet he's got something resembling Sunstreaker," smile First Aid tiredly. He doesn't want to bother his comrade at this hour in the morning, but he couldn't recharge unless Sideswipe recharges, and Primus knows how long that might take.
Stepping out of his room, First Aid silently made his way towards the green scout's room. Warnings start to pop in his field of vision, alerting him that his energy is far too low and that he needed rest straight one thing preventing him from doing such a thing.
"Hey Aid, where are ya goin' this early?' came the ever cheerful Jazz out of the blue that nearly put First Aid's spark to a stop.
"Hello Jazz. I wanted to see Hound if he have any holograms of Sunstreaker. Sideswipe won't go to recharge and it's making me tired,"
Jazz seems to contemplate on that and snap his fingers like he had a brilliant idea.
"Why bother him? You can just borrow Sunstreaker's holo-camera. I'm sure he took a lot of his pictures in his free time," grins the TIC, happy with his idea. First Aid wondered about that, maybe there are some truth in the officer's words.
"But, shouldn't it be locked around this time?"
"I'm Head of Special Ops for a reason Aid," Jazz chuckles. If it wasn't for the facemask and visor, First Aid would've look like he had just seen a ghost. They both made their way to the twins' room and Jazz start to hack the code. Less than a minute is all he needed, the door whooshed open and he motioned First Aid to get it.
"I really underestimate you Jazz..." mutter the little medic as he look around the dark room. Jazz powered the lights and the room is finally revealed. Bunk-berths on one end, the lower bunk is covered with pillows while the upper bunk is as clean as a whistle. Even the room is cleaner than usual. Sideswipe's side had been placed in order, unlike before when it still looks like a tornado had been blowing everyday.
"Sunstreaker really is like a mother.." First Aid commented when he notices that the floor is dust-free.
"And it's creepin' me out..!" Jazz continues. He watched the young medic search through cabinets after cabinets for the camera with one arm holding a tired, fussy sparkling. "Maybe I should hold him for a while,"
First Aid nods and hand over the now screaming sparkling over to the saboteur as he continues his hunt for the camera. The room may be clean but the drawers are all filled with items. And searching a camera out of all those would be like searching a needle in a hay stack.
Sideswipe's wailing is starting to get slower when his vocals tire out, and he start to cough horribly. Jazz is at loss on what to do, apparently calming him isn't working from the start. "Hurry up Aid, he's gonna wake the entire continent!" hiss the TIC.
"Be patient Jazz, I think it's in that cupboard," First Aid hisses back. Opening one drawer after the other, he finally found what he was searching for. "Got it, now let's find Sunstreaker's 'perfect' picture,"
The young medic flip through one picture after the other through hundreds of pictures when he notices a perfect holo. A picture of the golden mech standing tall with a warm smile on his face.
"This'll do the trick," First Aid muttered out. He shoved the picture into Sideswipe's view and the sparkling immediately quiet down. A small hand reaches out but it just dissipate through the hologram. Sideswipe starts to whimper again.
"Sunny... Sunny..." sobs the little sparkling. First Aid and Jazz decided maybe it's best for the two brothers to stay together, but if Ratchet knows that the 'Sideswipe can't stay with Sunstreaker for a while' rule have been broken by his apprentice, he'll explode for sure.
"I can't bear to see him like this, but Sunstreaker needs his rest," First Aid argued with himself. Jazz went silent, he too wants the two brothers to return to each other. Separating them shouldn't be done on the first place. They are connected after all..
"We ain't got no choice Aid, if this is what Sides want then we shouldn't stop him.."
"Ratchet will blow a fuse! Or ten of them! But I know one thing perfectly, he wouldn't dare harm me with a wrench, EVER. If I'd just manipulate him the right way I could stop him from destroying both twins and maybe you,"
Jazz's mouth drop open. He couldn't believe what he was hearing! First Aid is going to manipulate Ratchet's mind for the very first time! Maybe he should record it for future use.
"Don't look so shock Jazz, I've done it countless of times. It's what humans call...puppydog eyes and a sweet melody with the voice, just enough innocence and guilt should do the trick," there was a glint in First Aid's visor that screams mischeviousness. Jazz slowly nods his head, too stunned to do anything else.
"Then we better start returning Sideswipe before Red notices us," said the saboteur as he made his way. First Aid cocked his head to the side slightly.
"That made me curious, how come he haven't seen us by now?" ask the junior medic. Jazz merely grin his trademark grin.
"Well..before I bumped into you, I kinda played a harmless prank on him. He's asleep right now 'cause I spiked his energon," with that, he played his music and happily sway with the rhythm as he continues his journey towards the medbay. First Aid stayed still in shock for the next few seconds before he finally catches reality and followed after the saboteur.
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"'Ey Sunny, Sunny. Wake up.."
Jazz slowly shook the Lamborghini's shoulders until Sunstreaker powered his optics through the haze. At first all he see is nothing but blurriness in his field of vision, but soon his systems have warmed up enough to see Jazz, First Aid and his brother coughing loudly.
"Wha..?"
"Here ya go, he doesn't want to be separated. If Ratchet ask tomorrow, tell 'im he crawled off Aid's berth," grins the saboteur. First Aid whacked him upside the head.
"We have a plan in case Ratchet asks, remember?" points the young medic out. Jazz laugh sheepishly and bid goodnight for all of them and returns tohis quarters right then and there. "I'll tell Prowl who pranks Red tomorrow.." mutter First Aid. Sunstreaker just stare at him confusedly.
"Don't worry, it doesn't involve you, it involves Jazz. You just calm him down and rest, I'll check on you tomorrow morning," with that said, First Aid hands a thermal blanket for the sparkling and bid goodnight as he disappeared through the darkness in the medbay.
Sunstreaker still wonder what had just happened, temporarily forgetting his brother but the soft whimpers snap him back. The little bot looks up at him with sad optics and a dry oral cavity. Sunstreaker understood that his brother wants something to drink and pattings on his back to knock off the last of the cough.
"You're lucky I have a bottle in subspace. But that's all I got so drink slowly," rasp the older mech. Sideswipe cough again and Sunstreaker hold him up, patting his back until Sideswipe grew tired to cough out more. Searching his subspace pocket, he found the warm bottle and pops it into the waiting mouth.
Sideswipe loves it when he's in Sunstreaker's arms. The pulsing spark just next to his audios, the soft hands holding and protecting him from the dangers of the world and a voice so melodious that made him recharge every the time whenever he starts to sing.
"Sunny.." murmur the sparkling as his optics start to grow heavy halfway through his feed. Sunstreaker smile at him and stroke his sensitive receptors until Sideswipe is fast asleep. The half full bottle is kept in subspace in case Sideswipe wakes up later on.
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"Aid..how did Sideswipe manage to get to Sunstreaker?" leer Ratchet at both his apprentice and the frontliner. He's clearly not happy with the fact that Sideswipe is recharging happily in Sunstreaker's arms. That, and Sunstreaker wouldn't let him touch his brother.
"Well, I brought him here. I couldn't bear to see such a young life so sad. They are twins, are they not? And twins are meant to stay together through thick and thin. I believe Sunstreaker couldn't live without Sideswipe because that's his strength and happiness. Just like how you'll fall if I am not there to help you. You did say that I'm one of you brightest student.."
"Yes you are but you should know that even a common virus can be deadly to said young life, why still bring him?"
"Don't worry, I've checked Sunstreaker's vitals before I return Sideswipe. The virus is too weak to infect him because Sunstreaker's anti-virus works extra hard thanks to the medication and rest. Sideswipe is safe. Ratchet..I just want them to be happy..you should listen to the way Sideswipe cried, it'll break your spark.."
First Aid's voice cracks and he sound like he's about to break down and lost it. Ratchet couldn't argue with such a tone and reluctantly agrees with his apprentice.
Up above the air vents, Jazz is watching the entire thing. His jaw is on the floor when he sees how First Aid acts like he really meant all of it. But he smiled when Ratchet lets go of the problem and told Sunstreaker to take it easy. When First Aid left as well, Jazz went off to find secrets to crack and maybe a prank along the way.
Sunstreaker thank First Aid with a smile when he left and turn his attention to the peacefully recharging sparkling in his arms. He nuzzle the soft cheeks and kisses the sparkling's forehelm. Everything in the world doesn't matter anymore to them, all there is now is a warm embrace of love and protection for both of them.
First Aid is right, Sideswipe is his strength and happiness..
HAPPY 2011! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
I'm sorry for the delay, we had a family vacation for a couple of weeks. Since my laptop is busted and I rely everything on my computer, updating can take a while.
Looky, I got my result for that dreadful exam last October.. *checks slip* I got six A's out of eight, which isn't so bad. Guess I'll have to work on my maths and history..sheesh.. And here I thought I was gonna die in the exam room..haha..
Well, hopefully you enjoy this chapter and do post me some ideas. Thanks yoong, most of your ideas are BRILLIANT might I say. Anything else anyone?