Fandom: Transformers G1
Author: gatekat, ultrarodimus on LJ
Pairing: Axe/Dai Atlas, Drift/Wing, Kaleidoscope/Sheerwing
Rating: NC-17
Codes: Knights of Light, AU, Sticky, Spark, Bondage, Mechpreg

Kneeling to the Sword 26: The First Sparkling
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Kaleidoscope flared blue-tipped and blue-trimmed black wings, smiling devilishly down at his bound mate. Nimble fingers darted into armor seams, teasing at the most sensitive wires and sensor nodes, tweaking and tugging lightly at the circuitry. Leaning down, the black and blue flier trailed lips and glossa over Sheerwing's pelvic armor, glossa darting into the larger mech's hip joint. Playful yellow optics lifted to meet deep red as the bound mech shuddered and keened.

"You're cruel," Sheerwing whined as he shivered and thrust his hips upwards. With both spike and valve cover open, both eager to be used, it was only a question of what his bondmate would do to drive him to bliss.

"You know you love it," the smaller mech crooned back, his grin widening. Flicking his wings teasingly, Kaleidoscope slithered down to run his glossa tormenting slowly over the platelets of his mate's valve. Hot air puffed from the armorer's vents, sliding along Sheerwing's plating and into the seams.

Each touch made Sheerwing's vents hitch and another moan escape his vocalizer. "Please... So slick for you."

"Do tell, beloved." Kaleidoscope flicked his audial vanes, working the tip of his glossa slowly through the platelets, savoring the taste of the lubricant. One hand slid down a powerful leg, fingers sliding into the joint, teasing the gyros. "Tell me what you want."

The giant's entire frame arched as valve calipers tried to capture the glossa flicking just inside the rim. "Want your spike. Spread me wide. Fill me the way only you can. Let me feel the energy crackling from your spike as your transfluid rushes into me."

Purring, Kaleidoscope leaned closer, closing his lips on the rim of Sheerwing's valve and sucking lightly. "I like the sound of that," he rumbled against lubricant-slick metal. "But I'm not finished... playing with you yet." His glossa slid in deeper, flicking teasingly at a sensor node.

A full frame shudder passed through Sheerwing at the stimulation. As much as he loved to be an active participant, there was an intensity to being forced to be utterly passive. To knowing, right to his core, that his pleasure was dependent on the whim of the mech he was with.

Another lick deeper inside his valve and Sheerwing keened loudly, trying to grind his hips against his bonded's face.

"Please, babe!" Sheerwing howled, his frame shaking. "Take me, for Primus' sake."

Optics sparkling teasingly, Kaleidoscope worked his glossa deeper, as deep as he could, poking almost daintily at the deepest node he could reach before slowly, teasingly slowly, withdrawing, glossa stroking over every sensor node in its path. "You want me to spike you, love?"

"Yes!" Sheerwing howled, his hips rolling into the touch as much as they could and valve calipers cycling as his entire frame struggled against his bonds. "Please. Want you so bad."

Chuckling, the smaller mech withdrew his glossa from his mate's valve, flicking it teasingly against the larger triple changer's spike housing to cause another full-frame jerk and whine of desperation. Grinning at Sheerwing, he slid closer, slowly grinding his hips against his mate's. "Your wish is my command, my love."

"Kal..." Sheerwing whined, his tone pleading and his entire frame trembling. He felt so empty. His valve was too slick, the lining pulsing in anticipation of the slide of a spike that felt impossibly good.

"Yes, love?" Kaleidoscope fluttered his wings, tilting his helm teasingly to the side, continuing to grind his hips slowly against his larger mate's.

"Spike me already!" he howled, writhing and fighting the restraints in an effort to reach his mate. "Fill me. Need you!"

A low chuckle answered the howl as Kaleidoscope finally obliged, releasing his spike. He spent a klik teasing Sheerwing by rubbing his tip against lubricant-slick platelets, then pushed through them, slowly, slowly sliding his spike into his lover's valve. Once fully sheathed in the larger mech, Kaleidoscope leaned down to kiss his mate, glossa flicking against the larger deep purple mech's lips. They opened obediently, the needy rumble vibrating between them as Sheerwing's glossa snaked out to caress Kaleidoscope's.

~Never get enough of you,~ Sheerwing gasped across their bond, still fresh at less than a hundred vorns old but strong and passionate with their love.

~Can never get enough of you,~ Kaleidoscope purred in response. ~You've got me thoroughly addicted to every part of you.~

The black and blue mech settled into a steady rhythm, the movement slow at first, gradually working his way up to the hard, fast pace the larger mech preferred. When he'd first come to the Citadel on Cybertron, Kaleidoscope had despaired at ever finding a lover he wouldn't have to be careful with. Not once in those early vorns of enjoying this well-armored giant did he think they would reach this point; bonded and as deeply in love as the triple-changer's carrier and his mate.

Under him Sheerwing keened and writhed, his hips jerking sharply into each thrust as valve calipers cycled, scraping sensitive lining against sensitive spike.

It felt so good.

A moan escaped the smaller mech's vocalizer. He leaned down to nip at Sheerwing's throat cables and collar armor, shifting his weight to free one hand and reach for a wide wing. Blue-streaked fingers hunted out every sensor node, tracing the leading edges and the seams, the armorer's hand curling around the edge of the wing and squeezing gently but firmly. Kaleidoscope shifted his hips, the tip of his spike striking against the dense cluster of sensors at the end of Sheerwing's valve.

The giant under him bucked hard and screamed. Every caliper in his valve cycled closed, hugging the spike tightly as energy crackled over Sheerwing's frame, though his circuits and leapt into Kaleidoscope at every point of contact.

Sheerwing's overload set off Kaleidoscope's, the smaller mech letting out a keen as transfluid erupted from his spike, filling his lover's valve. Charge sizzled over his plating, leaping off onto Sheerwing as the pleasure ricocheted back and forth through their bond, washing over both of them and temporarily drowning out any ability to think even remotely clearly.

They remained, locked in the overload's embrace, for an exquisite klik before Kaleidoscope slowly began to sink down on top of his shuddering love.

Gradually deep red optics brightened to take in the sight he never tired of. ~You're beautiful like that.~

The black and blue flier's smile was bright, warm yellow optics lifting to meet Sheerwing's red. ~As are you,~ he murmured in response. ~But then, to me you're always stunning.~ Not bothering to remove his spike from Sheerwing's valve, Kaleidoscope settled down on top of the larger mech, feeling the pulse of his mate's strong spark through thick plate armor.

~You always flatter me,~ Sheerwing chuckled softly. ~Can I hold you now?~

~For as long as you want, my love.~ Kaleidoscope shifted to release the restraints, snuggling closer to his mate and venting a contented sigh as large, strong arms wrapped around him.

A deep, soft rumble vibrated their plating once more. ~You know, we're both fully repaired, the bond's stable ... our sparks are strong.~

Audial flares twitched curiously as Kaleidoscope tilted his helm. ~All true. What are you thinking, lover of mine?~

Instead of words a series of image-feelings cross the bond. A tiny spark orbiting a larger one. The first sight of a sparkling crawling from its carrier's abdomen. Watching his little sister grow and learn to fly, but overlaid with an image of what their sparkling might look like.

Kaleidoscope's purr made his frame vibrate. ~I remember you mentioned that the orn you asked me to bond with you. At the time we were in no condition and not in the right environment to raise a little one, but now... You're right, we're both healthy and strong, and we have all the resources available.~ He fluttered a wing. ~I would love a sparkling of our own.~

Their lips met against in a warm kiss that was more affection than passion. ~Then let's start the process when the Office of Sparkling Affairs opens in the morning.~

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"Hello," a sweet voice matched to an equally sweet frame of white, silver and pale blue that stepped halfway out of his office in the central government tower of New Crystal City. As half of the Office of Sparkling Affairs, he knew every sparkling and creator in the city personally and took great delight that his duties consisted almost completely of approving applications of long-term couples and almost nothing of the work he used to do in the Office of Sparkling Affairs in Praxus. "Sheerwing, Kaleidoscope, if you'd join me we can talk about your application."

"Of course." Kaleidoscope inclined his helm, tugging lightly on his mate's hand. Eagerness vibrated through their bond, matching the slight quiver of blue-tipped wings. Sheerwing followed, one optic on the frame of the door, not wanting to run into it. Mecha of his frame size were not common in the city, so not many structures were built to accommodate the bigger mechs easily.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. I'm Sidewind. I will be handling your case," the lightly armored Praxian smiled at the much heavier pair. "Now. Sheerwing, you are a Knight of Light. What rank?"

"I am a Senior Knight," Sheerwing replied, settling carefully onto a chair. "Not yet Master rank."

"Do you currently have an Initiate, or prospective one?" Sidewind asked politely. "If you have a sparkling it would be unsuitable for you to take one on until it has its final upgrades."

The deep purple triple changer shook his helm. "I have no one in mind as a potential Initiate, nor have I been seriously looking for one."

"Good, then you have a thousand vorns to devote to a sparkling," he smiled warmly and shifted focus to Kaleidoscope. "You are a metal crafter?" he gave the Kaonite an appraising look. "I'm going to guess you were an armorer and weaponsmith before the PR title change."

Kaleidoscope nodded. "I am, yes. I forge armor and swords for the Knights. I also repair damaged weapons and armor."

Sidewind nodded and tapped on his datapad. "Both of your reports of income are on the lower end, however, your functions and duties are stable, well-established and not at risk. Is there anything you wish to add about your financial situation?"

"All the information we have, we gave to you. There's nothing else to add," Sheerwing responded.

"Have you spoken to your kin? I understand your carrier is the Sovereign of Light, and his mentor is Titanium." He looked between the couple.

"Titanium is also my sire," Sheerwing added, noting Sidewind's surprise. "We haven't spoken to them yet." He looked at his mate. "We wanted to surprise them."

The Praxian chuckled. "Trying to melt your carrier's processors, mmm?"

"Something like that." Kaleidoscope's grin hinted at mischief.

"How long have you been planning to raise a sparkling?" Sidewind smiled, secretly approving of anything that might shock some good humor into the cranky giant.

"The subject actually came up the orn Sheer asked me to bond with him, while we were still partially repaired and armorless en route to the city," the Kaonite replied. "But at the time we were in no condition to create or raise a sparkling, so it was put on hold until we got here and were fully repaired."

"I see Redline gave you both full medical clearance some time ago, confirmation that your bond is strong and stable," Sidewind nodded. "Have you decided who is going to try to carry?"

"I am." Kaleidoscope flared his wings, puffing up his armor slightly.

Sidewind nodded again and scrolled through several screens worth of data. "Why? As the larger mech, Sheerwing has less chance of something going wrong."

"Dai Atlas was... an extremely aggressive and volatile carrier. If Sheer takes after him, there is a very good possibility that his temper could be just as bad." Kaleidoscope ruffled his armor. "And I want to carry this sparkling."

The triple changer nodded. "I inherited a great deal from my carrier, including a penchant for explosive rage. I know from Starspark that my sparkling protective protocols are more than strong enough to make me safe around our creation. That is not always true for those around me that I view as equals."

"And you," Sidewind looked at Kaleidoscope. "Do you have any experience with sparklings?"

"Does Wing count?" The black and blue flier chuckled. "Sheer and I were already involved when Starspark came along, and in the Citadel everyone helps raise a sparkling. When I lived in Kaon, one of my neighbors had twins, and my creators often sparkling-sat for them."

"Good, then you have some idea what you're getting into." Sidewind nodded with evident relief. "And yes, Wing does count to a point," he added with a snicker. "How is everyone's favorite adult sparking and his growling mate?"

Sheerwing grinned. "As bouncy as ever, and just as likely to jump on the closest family member despite Drift's growling. Wing is Wing and likely will never change."

"It's good that he hasn't changed much," Sidewind smiled fondly. "He's been in here twice about permits for a sparkling, but he could never convince his mate to come. They will make a lovely and likely a balanced creation together when he's finally ready."

"Drift being Drift, that's likely to take a long time," Kaleidoscope replied. He looked over at Sheerwing briefly. ~I'll have to ask Axe if he got any image captures of Drift's expression the first time he saw Wing climbing all over Dai's frame.~

~I'm sure it's somewhere between shock and awe,~ his mate laughed at the idea-image. ~Only Wing can get away with that, and Drift's still just a tiny bit afraid of our dear creator.~

~Can you blame him?~ The smaller mech's grin was bright, then he turned his attention back to Sidewind. "Both of us have had experience with sparklings, and we will be surrounded by mecha we can ask for help when we need it."

"Good," he nodded. "What have you done, or planned, to prepare your apartment for a sparkling, or what could likely be twins?"

"Both of us are fliers, so we have an upper-level apartment with doors on the balcony, and we have plenty of processors we can pick to help us get it properly sparkling-proofed. Our sparkling - or sparklings - will never be left alone." Blue-trimmed black armor flared.

Sidewind stood smoothly and retrieved a datapad from his desk. "This will get you started. The most useful section is likely to be 'How To Keep Your Sparkling From Jumping Off The Balcony'," he chuckled and tossed the pad to Kaleidoscope. "Another good section covers how to cope with a moody carrier," he flicked a wing playfully at Sheerwing.

"That might come in very handy," the Knight agreed, chuckling at the huff he got from his mate as Kaleidoscope accepted the datapad. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. I can find no reason to deny your request," he smiled and sat back down. "Just remember, we're here as a resource. You are not flagged for asking for help. We learned long ago that the couples who ask for help before things become a big problem are among those most likely to raise well adjusted and productive members of society. As a Knight I realize you will have far more helping hands than most, but don't be strangers here. You or your sparkling."

Both mechs nodded to him in response. "We will remember that. If we need help, we will ask for it. Thank you."

SxSxSxSxSxSxSxSx S===================S SxSxSxSxSxSxSxS

Kaleidoscope walked into Redline's medical bay, his fingers firmly entwined with his mate's. The black and blue mech had been feeling odd for several orns and figured it was time to make an appointment with the Citadel's CMO. He and Sheerwing had been trying hard to create a newspark, and both were hoping it had worked. The first time, almost a metacycle ago, had been a false alarm and driven the couple to ask if there was a reason they hadn't managed yet.

Redline wanted to laugh, but the pair were too distressed for it.

~Don't go there, love,~ Sheerwing nuzzled his mate's helm. ~Sooner or later it will work.~

~I know,~ Kaleidoscope murmured in response, pressing against deep purple armor. ~But I want it to have worked. I'm so nervous.~ His hand tightened on his mate's, then he looked up at Redline. The medic motioned him to the medberth.

"So what are your symptoms?" the medic that had seen the kindling and separation of each of Dai Atlas' descendants smiled gently.

"There's a strange feeling in my spark," the Kaonite answered, settling onto the medical berth. "Not something I've ever felt before. And a slight energy drain."

"You've increased your energon consumption to compensate?" he asked, hooking Kaleidoscope up to many scanners while his giant mate hovered protectively without getting in the way.

Kaleidoscope nodded. "I've increased my energon intake, yes." He reached out for Sheerwing's hand again, tilting his helm to look at the monitors. "It took me an orn or so to figure out why I was tiring so fast."

"You've still been actively trying to kindle since your last visit?"

"Yes, often," Sheerwing squeezed his mate's hand, his wings quivering in excitement and hope.

"Very often." There was a purr in Kaleidoscope's voice. Hope threaded through the bond, his grip tightening on Sheerwing's hand.

The medic hummed and studied the readouts, then nodded and smiled, his field expressing his growing excitement. "If you'd open your spark chamber so I can see?"

"Yes, of course." Blue-trimmed black armor plates folded back to expose the armorer's spark chamber, the crystalline chamber opening to bare the lilac spark for inspection. He felt a sharp spike of excitement from his mate before Redline's smile turned into a grin.

"You can close it now," the medic chuckled. "Congratulations. You are going to be raising a trine."

Sheerwing's excitement turned to shock as the larger mech rocked slightly.

Yellow optics widened. "A trine? Three newsparks?" His grip on Sheerwing's hand tightened enough to make the metal of his mate's fingers creak as he craned his neck, trying to peer into his own chest cavity. Shock flooded through the bond that was echoing it both ways.

"A trine?" Sheerwing repeated his mate's query.

"Yes, a trine. Three," Redline chuckled at them. "I'd have been less surprised if it was Sheerwing carrying, but it seems that you're going to have three fast little fliers, and one very trying carry. One sparkling would ground you. Three are likely to all but incapacitate you during the last phase. Even small, that will add up to more than half your total mass in extra."

"I'm going to look like a bulk cargo shuttle by the end of it." There was a hint of amusement under the shock as Kaleidoscope digested that. "And I'm going to have to have someone on permanent fetch-and-carry duty for the last couple metacycles." Slowly, he sat up. "This is... more than we had hoped."

"The dangers?" Sheerwing asked, joy and shock and worry warring for control.

"The greatest will be Kaleidoscope's ability to support all three newsparks and their frames, particularly in the later stages," Redline went serious. "Given your recent sparkline history of creating newsparks that can not be supported, it is a real concern."

Black and blue armor slicked tight to Kaleidoscope's frame. He was careful not to squeeze Sheerwing's hand any tighter, but his other hand was leaving dents in the edge of the medical berth. "I hope we beat the odds... If I feel anything strange, I'll notify you immediately, Redline."

"Good," the medic nodded and pinged them both with a large file. "That will give you the pattern of needs to expect. You'll have a very high energon draw and the supplements to match. I'm hoping these turn out to be light frames, but given their heritage I rather doubt it. Neither of your lines are prone to light builds."

Kaleidoscope hummed, tagging the file as high priority in his databanks. "Thank you. And no, neither of us comes from a line of light builds." He lifted his hand to touch the armor over his spark chamber. "Definitely going to be a complicated carrying. But... also so worth it." ~And I look forward to seeing your carrier's face when we tell him, love.~

~And sire's.~ "Yes," Sheerwing smiled, his voice a deepening rumble of anticipation. "We want to tell everyone, okay?"

"Sure, as long as it's soon," Redline did laugh. "Go on and melt your carrier's processors."

Anticipation threaded through the bond. ~This is going to be fun. Where is Dai right now?~ Kaleidoscope slid off the table, surrendering to impulse and pouncing on his mate for an enormous hug. Turning his helm, he grinned at Redline. "If Dai passes out from the shock, you're our first call."

"Good, because Axe will be laughing too hard to be of any use," the medic gave them a wicked grin and shooed them on their way.

"No doubt." The black and blue mech finally let go of Sheerwing, taking his mate's hand and twining their fingers together. ~Let's go find your carrier, shall we, love?~

~He's in the council chamber,~ Sheerwing replied after a moment as they walked out. ~Want to catch him in there, or wait until he's in public?~

The grin his mate gave him dripped mischief. ~The more witnesses to this, the better, I think. Council chamber. Closer to the medical wing, in case Dai really short circuits.~

Sheerwing laughed and pinged Axe for permission to bring his mate into the space that was typically reserved for Knights.

::I know you wouldn't ask without a good reason... Might I have a hint, or would you rather surprise me?:: Axe responded, giving his permission for Sheerwing to bring Kaleidoscope into the chamber.

::You'll know soon enough,:: Sheerwing snickered, showing his mate into the small circular room and into the focused attention of all twenty-three Knights currently seated there. "My friends, it is no secret that my mate and I have been trying to kindle for more than a metacycle. Just now Redline confirmed that we succeeded. My dear mate Kaleidoscope is carrying a full trine."

There was an immediate silence as all of the Knights gawked at the pair. Kaleidoscope puffed out his armor proudly, grinning brightly at all of the Knights, his optics flicking over to fix on the Sovereign.

"A trine?" Axe repeated, blue optics wide. "You sparked a full trine with him?" The black and gold Knight looked over at his mate when he felt Dai Atlas begin to go silent, even over the bond after the first burst of joy-shock.

"Yep," Sheerwing's grin got even broader before he snickered and looked at his carrier. "He still with us?"

"Yes," Dai Atlas made a visible effort to pull himself together. "That is wonderful news. Redline is sure they are healthy, and small?"

"They are healthy, and right now they are small," Kaleidoscope replied. "Though they probably won't stay small, considering that neither side of their lineage is at all noted for light frames or small mechs." He tilted his helm to indicate Sheerwing's size, then waved a hand to indicate his own. "By the time they're ready to separate I'm going to look like a freight shuttle and be all but immobile."

Murmurs swept through the assembled Knights. Wing streaked over, completely forgetting decorum in favor of congratulating his younger brother.

Sheerwing chuckled and hugged Wing back, his natural standoffish behavior falling away for the moment. "Redline is well aware of the dangers and will be monitoring the newsparks carefully every six orns and if Kaleidoscope feels anything," he promised, well aware of where his carrier's questions were coming from. "We will be ready for anything that must happen." ~Not that anything will,~ he promised.

"It does mean that Sheerwing will be on special light duty for the second half of the carry," Redline spoke up as he entered the chamber. "It is more important that he attend to his mate and sparklings than to his duties to the Citadel. He is not being excused from his duties to the Order as they can be done within range of Kaleidoscope."

~I certainly hope not,~ the smaller mech replied, reaching over to tweak a white wingtip.

~We're going to be grand-creators, love,~ Axe murmured, reaching over to take Dai Atlas' hand, holding onto the edge of the table. He still couldn't quite believe it. He and Dai Atlas had raised many creations in their long existences, but the three newsparks Sheerwing and Kaleidoscope had created would be their very first grand-creations.

Other Knights were descending to the chamber floor to offer their congratulations, fields pulsing with excitement and happiness. These would be the first sparklings of a Knight since their arrival on Aelios and it was very welcome news in a society that had few bonded pairs and fewer who were inclined to kindle.

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Kaleidoscope shifted on the berth as much as he could, growling softly to himself. As expected, his abdomen had expanded enormously to contain the three growing protoforms, throwing his sense of balance right out the window and leaving him unable to move from the berth without his larger mate to lean on, or in the last metacycle, carry him. He did have a fairly steady stream of visitors when he was awake, making sure he didn't go completely stir-crazy.

Shifting another tiny increment and ruffling his wings under him, the black and blue flier tried to get comfortable. He'd just settled down when one of the protoforms in his torso shifted, and a separation warning popped up on his HUD. Kaleidoscope just stared at it for a moment. ~Sheer!~

~First warning?~ his mate called back as he darted into the room, a comm line with Redline already open.

~First warning. But only one of them is squirming and moving around.~ Nervousness filtered through the bond. Kaleidoscope reached out to grasp his mate's hand tightly.

A white streak wasn't far behind Sheerwing, having spotted his brother heading for home at full throttle. Perching somewhere out of the way, Wing settled in to watch. Their sister appeared next to him with a chirp.

"Redline said it was likely that Winddance would separate well before the others," Sheerwing tried to sooth his mate. "Redline is on his way. My creators will be here as soon as they can be. It'll be well before she's out though."

Black and blue armor quivered as Kaleidoscope did his best to calm down. His free hand wandered down to press against his torso armor, feeling the smallest of their three sparklings moving around faintly through the thick plating. "At least it'll be less crowded in there once she's out," he quipped, trying to make a joke of it.

Titanium was next to arrive, moving to stand by the wall, where he'd be out of the way but able to see everything. His shoulders were immediately occupied by the pair of small white jets, taking advantage of his height for better vantage points.

"Any errors?" Redline demanded as he strode into the room. "Who's giving a ping?"

"No errors, yet, and hopefully it'll stay that way," Kaleidoscope replied, his wings quivering as armor shifted slightly. "It's Winddance. She wants out, and now."

"She has a few joors left, and a lot of work ahead of her," Redline settled into his job easily. A detailed scan passed over Kaleidoscope's greatly extended abdominal cavity. "It might be easier to extract her from the side, or the back," the medic considered the arrangement thoughtfully.

A grunt escaped the Kaonite as the small femme thrashed, trying to get past the immobile forms of her two brothers. Frustration poured through the creator bond.

"Her brothers are in the way, and she is very unhappy about it," Kaleidoscope relayed, making a face.

The thunder of engines announced the arrival of Axe. Ruffling obsidian plating, the big black mech joined the others, blue gaze flicking from Kaleidoscope to Sheerwing to Redline.

"Kaleidoscope, try to get through to her that she needs to head toward your back," Redline said firmly. "I'm going to make an opening for her."

"If you can get me turned over, doc, it'll be just short of a miracle." Kaleidoscope tried to shift, emphasizing the fact that he was nearly completely incapable of moving on his own. Yellow optics went out of focus as he tried to get his daughter to shift.

"I think that between all of us big strong mechs, we can get you shifted," Titanium commented as he walked over, his two white shoulder jets peering at the proceedings with interest.

"You have more help than space for helpers," Axe chuckled as his mate landed on the balcony.

With a nod Sheerwing picked up his mate with the ease of practice, accepting the help of his creators in turning the vulnerable mech over, taking care not to jostle his valuable contents in the process. Kaleidoscope grunted softly as he was shifted, extending his wings in a much-needed stretch. Armor plates flared along his back and sides.

"Good, now shoo," Redline insisted as he stepped in to run a hand along Kaleidoscope lower back. "Tell me when I'm over her."

"Little lower... Over to the left a little... Right there." Under Redline's hand, something moved beneath thick plating as Winddance impressed upon her carrier that she wanted out immediately.

The other mecha obligingly, if reluctantly, got out of the way. Titanium handed Wing to Dai Atlas as the small white mech practically vibrated off the purple shoulder. Starspark clung on, her optics wide and fixed on her older brother's mate.

"This is going to hurt," Redline warned as he took out a plasma cutter. "Do try to convince her to get as close to your core as she can."

"I'll manage," the black and blue mech grunted, seizing and clutching his mate's hand. There was squirming under his armor, then Winddance pulled back, still radiating impatience.

"I know," Redline said evenly as he began to cut. Proximity sensors warned him of a grounder walking in, the size matching Wing's mate.

"Is that normal?" Drift's rough voice broke the general silence, and was directed at his mate.

Wing looked down from Dai Atlas' arms. "Not usually. But Kal is carrying a trine, and the smallest of the trio, their daughter, is ready for separation while her brothers aren't."

"And her brothers are between her and Kal's front." Titanium turned his helm to fix his optic on Drift, having never bothered to have his missing right optic repaired. "It's easier to make an opening in Kal's back so she can get out than try to shift her brothers and risk damaging them."

Kaleidoscope's hand tightened on the edge of the berth, a hiss of pain escaping. He took care not to crush his mate's fingers, instead leaving deep dents in the berth. Sheerwing crooned, trying to be soothing as he supported his mate every way he could think of.

Drift looked between Kaleidoscope, the hole being cut in Kaleidoscope's back and Wing and back again before addressing his mate. ~You are utterly and completely insane for wanting to risk that. Count me out.~

~Chances of us creating more than one are very low,~ the young jet replied, blinking over at his mate. ~Just one wouldn't be so bad.~

Blue-tipped wings trembled, Kaleidoscope hissing in pain and discomfort. He did his very best to hold still, not wanting to budge and risk injuring his daughter.

Drift huffed, his gaze drawn back to Kaleidoscope as Redline drew the plasma torch away. ~I've seen torture session that didn't hurt that much.~

"Can she see light?" the medic asked.

As if in answer, there was the clear sound of scrabbling under the cut-away plating, and then a sharp chirp of frustration when the little femme couldn't crawl right out. Kaleidoscope peered back over his shoulder. "I'd take that as a 'yes'."

Redline chuckled and brightened the output of his optics to help light the hole while he worked to move cables, tubes and wiring out of her way. "Double check that all connections to her have successfully disengaged."

The Kaonite was silent for a long moment as he ran the checks. "They've all disengaged. She's ready to come out, once she gets past my systems."

The sounds of scrabbling and movement came closer, a small arm finally poking out through the gap in Kaleidoscope's plating. Tiny fingers grabbed at the edge of another plate, kicking and thrashing to try and fight free of the entangling wiring. A sharp, rude-sounding chitter emerged, accompanied by a mutter as small red optics glared out at whoever happened to be closest.

"Hold still and I'll free you," Redline told her in the hope that this would be a reasonable sparkling, unlike most of her known spark-kin. "You don't want to damage your brothers, do you?"

"Let me out!" was the sharp response, the little femme squirming emphatically. At the mention of her brothers, she subsided, grumbling impatiently, waiting for Redline to untangle the last bits of wiring between her and freedom.

"Climb up my arm," Redline crooned, trying to save her carrier from any additional damage from her kicking. "You should be free to move now."

Winddance lost no time in crawling out onto Kaleidoscope's back, her carrier peering over his shoulder in an attempt to see his daughter for the first time. "Finally. Have you any idea how cramped it was in there, with those two lummoxes taking up all the space?" She shook herself, then paused to look around.

The little femme clearly took after her sire more than her carrier. She looked strikingly like her sire and grand-creator, with the nubs of what would become long, wide wings on her back and her helm already showing the buds of what would become a distinctive three-point crown, though slimmer and more delicate than her sire's.

~That is a sparkling?~ Drift's tone was somewhere between incredulous and horrified as he stared at the tiny flier about a quarter his height. ~That is what you want?~

~She's beautiful,~ Wing replied, staring at the newborn with bright optics. He shifted in Dai Atlas' arms, preparing to pounce when a large white hand slid across his back, heading right for the sweet spot between slender wings, and Wing promptly melted.

~It's gross,~ Drift countered, more than willing to back away and give the larger mecha room to move in. It was covered in goo, without armor, he doubted it could stand yet and it definitely couldn't fly.

"I think you have some work to do to convince your mate to sire one," Redline chuckled at Wing while he handed Sheerwing a couple large, extra-soft cloths to wipe her clean and dry with. "Settle down, Kaleidoscope, so I can fix this hole we made in you."

Wing stirred enough to make a face at Redline. "I'll wear down his resistance eventually. It'll take a while, but I'll get through to him. I got him to bond, didn't I?"

Drift growled low and deep at that, but not a single mech was fooled by it.

Sheerwing gently picked up the little femme, carefully cleaning off the fluids coating her small frame. She squirmed in his hands, but didn't actively resist, blinking up at him. Once she was clean, the deep purple Knight sidled over to where his mate could get a good look. Kaleidoscope finally relaxed, letting Redline repair the hole in his back.

Axe nudged his own mate, stepping forward. "Hello, Winddance."

"Sire's not-spark creator," she designated him the way such things were processed by the very young. Her gaze shifted to Dai Atlas, who was hovering uncertainly a bit further back. "Sire's sire."

"Sire's carrier," Sheerwing corrected, running his fingers over a tiny wing. "My sire is over there." He tilted his helm toward the purple and silver mech with the single red optic, coming over to smile down at the small femme.

"Hello, little one." The big mech smiled at her, then looked over at Dai Atlas as Starspark climbed down onto the edge of the berth. "Come over and meet your granddaughter, Dai."

"This will never stop being strange," Dai Atlas murmured, trusting his mentor more than he trusted himself at the moment. The creator protocols he'd long since thought had been deleted when his spark was too damaged to create again had been roused. His folded wings trembled faintly as he stepped forward to stroke along the slender protoform's back. "She'll be Starspark's size when she's grown."

Titanium rounded the berth to press his shoulder against Dai Atlas'. "She looks like a miniature you, only with a femme frame. And yes, she'll be small."

Winddance blinked up at both of the big mechs, leaning into the light touch. Her red optics were dimming as the exhaustion of fighting her way out of her carrier's frame as well as her lack of energy reserves caught up with her. Starspark retrieved the sparkling cube, climbing up onto her sire's frame. Winddance promptly grabbed at the cube, missing and almost overbalancing.

Her sire easily corrected for her lack of balance. "Let Wing feed her. He's the one who has a mate. It's good practice."

That got a chuckle from the white jet as he took the cube, hopping over to perch on his younger brother's arm. He held the cube while his small, newly separated niece drank hungrily, drifting into recharge while still latched onto the cube.

"She doesn't want to let go," Axe observed with a soft chuckle as Wing tugged on the cube, only for Winddance to latch on tighter.

"She'll learn she won't go hungry here," Drift offered the only advice he could. Something he thought was painfully obvious but expected the locals who'd never really suffered hardship wouldn't. "Let her keep it."

"And Sheer gets to clean it up when she manages to spill it all over herself in her recharge," Kaleidoscope chuckled, managing to wait until the repair on his back was finished before slowly, awkwardly rolling over. ~She's going to be the spitting image of you once she has her armor, love.~

~Closer to Starspark, only dark,~ he chuckled and leaned down to kiss his mate. "Reseal the cube and she can hold on all she wants," Sheerwing smiled indulgently at the relatively tiny protoform on his arm. "It's adorable."

~Starspark has Axe's chevron; Winddance has your crown,~ Kaleidoscope replied, returning the kiss, then reaching up to gently run a fingertip over the recharging sparkling's cheek. One of the two sparklings he still carried chose that moment to kick, getting a wince from the black and blue mech.

Wing resealed the cube, then let Winddance have it, leaning back against his younger brother's shoulder. "She's beautiful, Sheer, Kal."

"How long until ... she ... has armor?" Drift asked, shifting on his pedes and decidedly uncomfortable.

"By the time she's a metacycle old, she'll have some of her armor, though it will still be relatively thin and light," Redline answered, glancing over at the grounder before returning his attention to his sensors, checking on the status of the other two sparklings. "Depending on her final frame size, she should be able to fly in a century or so. Maybe sooner. From the look of her, she's going to be roughly the same size as Wing and Star, perhaps a little larger."

"Oh," Drift couldn't think of another response as his optics focused on his mate. ~Come home when you're ready,~ he said as he turned to leave.

Wing was lightly stroking Winddance's small wing nubs and the buds on her helm that would one day become a three-point crown like her sire's. ~I might be here a while, or Redline might kick us all out soon.~

SxSxSxSxSxSxSxSx S===================S SxSxSxSxSxSxSxS

Wing landed on his balcony about a half joor later, humming cheerfully to himself. Redline had finally evicted everyone from Sheerwing and Kaleidoscope's quarters, giving the couple and their sparkling some time to rest, as well as giving Sheerwing a list of care instructions as long as his arm. Kaleidoscope was still practically immobile, so most of the care would fall to his mate.

Bouncing lightly on his pedes, still on cloud nine from meeting his new niece, Wing looked around the main room of his quarters, looking for any signs of his own mate. It didn't take long to spot the still, gleaming white armor as Drift knelt in meditation, his Great Sword across his lap.

~Evicted or bored?~ Drift asked with a touch of amusement, his frame utterly still.

~Evicted,~ the jet replied, bouncing over to join his mate. ~Wind and Kal are recharging, and Sheer is getting the care instructions from Redline. They need some peace and quiet before the rest of the Citadel starts showing up to offer their congratulations.~

~You really find that ... ... attractive?~ Drift leaned into contact with his mate, his emotions still in turmoil between his still-instinctive response to the utterly vulnerable and Wing's response to the same.

Wing nodded. ~Wind is a beautiful little femme, and I still want one of our own some orn.~ He leaned against his mate's white armor, resting his helm against Drift's.

~I can't see the appeal,~ he admitted honestly. ~It's so ... helpless. Useless.~

The jet blinked at his mate. ~Helpless now, but she's from Dai Atlas' sparkline; she'll be anything but helpless once she's in her adult frame. And it was love that kindled her.~ Wing tilted his helm. ~Do you... have the sparkling protocols?~

~Doubt it,~ Drift shrugged as he turned his helm for a kiss. ~Unless Redline installed them, there's no reason anyone else would have.~

Wing returned the kiss, purring into it. ~Something to look into some orn, maybe. But I doubt Red would have ever thought to install them.~ He ran his hand along Drift's arm, curling his fingers around the white grounder's hand.

Black fingers ghosted over black fingers as the kiss deepened. ~Is that why I react so differently than the rest of you?~

~Everyone else has the sparkling and creator protocols. So we react differently to sparklings than you do,~ Wing replied, leaning closer, wings fluttering against his back. ~If you don't have them, it's no wonder you didn't react the way we did.~

Drift hummed and deftly slid his Great Sword from his lap as he leaned back. His long spaulders folded inward and down to lay flat as he leaned back, drawing Wing down on top of him. ~Perhaps we'll ask, when she's old enough I don't find it so unpleasant an idea.~

~I'll warn you to keep your distance when her brothers decide they want out, too.~ Laughter danced in the words as Wing settled over his mate, his engines already purring, lifting one hand to stroke along Drift's side.

~I plan on avoiding it,~ Drift agreed empathetically, his engine rumbling in the mixture of pleasure and emphasis. His hands slid up his mate's frame, long familiar and just as desirable to him as the first orn he'd finally given into his frustration and lust and pinned the stunt jet to the wall. Only now the frustration was gone and the lust burned much hotter in a mutual passion.

Slender wings fluttered out, flaring wide, begging to be touched. Wing purred, pressing his frame against Drift's, nipping and licking at the cables of his throat. His hand slid into a seam, teasing lightly along the cables and wiring underneath.

~Such a wanton slut,~ Drift laughed, the phrase full of desire and affection for the trait in his mate as he reached for the wings. His fingers closed around the top edge and stroked outward as his helm tipped back in an offer of trust few had ever received. He moaned deeply and slid his spike cover open. ~My slut.~

~And no one else's,~ the white jet purred in response, wings pressing into Drift's hands, nuzzling at the underside of his jaw. ~Not anymore.~ His valve cover snapped open, a drop of lubricant dripping out to land on Drift's plating.

Drift shuddered at the desire and joy behind the assertion and stroked the wings again as his hips rolled up in anticipation. ~Want you, love you.~

~You've got me,~ Wing murmured in response, shifting his hips to meet Drift's, guiding the grounder's spike into his valve. A low moan escaped his vocalizer as that wonderful spike rubbed over the sensor nodes lining his valve.

"Mine," Drift moaned, his hands sliding down to Wing's aft to hold him against the powerful thrusts he was capable of. It felt so good to be encased by his mate. It was nothing like the pleasure he'd taken much of his existence; this made him tremble and anticipate his lover's overload as much as his own.

Wing's hips pressed down into each thrust, moaning softly. Bracing himself with one hand, he worked the other into a sensitive transformation seam, fingers finding a sensor cluster. Leaning down, he captured Drift's lips in a fierce kiss. "Yours," he whispered into the white grounder's mouth.

Drift could only moan, holding onto his mate as the charge rose between them. He moved one hand from Wing's aft to return to the fluttering wings. His strokes were less coordinated than before, but he was trying. The wing pressed into his hand, spreading out as far as it could go to expose the maximum surface area for petting. Wing's engines revved high, vibrating through both frames. He shifted his hips slightly to adjust the angle, letting out a soft cry as Drift's spike tip struck the dense node cluster at the top of his valve.

The sparks forced a shudder and grunt from Drift before he tensed and rolled them over. With the floor providing stability for Wing's hips Drift brought his hands up to catch his mate's hands and pin them as he thrust deep and hard, trying to draw out that cry again.

Wing purred at the move, wrapping his legs around Drift's waist, rolling his hips into each thrust. His back arched as he cried out again, the pleasure reverberating through the bond. It had taken so long to teach Drift the joys of mutual pleasure, but the sharpening of desire in Drift at Wing's pleasure was worth all the effort.

~Mine,~ Drift growled into a fierce kiss as his pace picked up, the thrusts coming harder, deeper and slightly less coordinated as the charge began to crest.

~Yours,~ Wing moaned, the mental moan matching the verbal one. ~Always.~ Slender wings trembled against the floor, the white jet wantonly arching into Drift's frame, rubbing as much of his own plating against Drift's as he could. The charge was building, nipping at his systems, dancing through his sensor net. Across the bond he could feel Drift's charge rising just as fast, anticipation rising with it.

Drift's mouth came down on Wing's throat, kissing and nipping and licking as he trembled uncontrollably. Loose energy danced through and across his frame as he moaned and jerked his hips, seeking that last bit of stimulation to send him over the edge.

The white jet leaned his helm back, his throat vibrating against Drift's lips as another moan escaped. His back arched, hips rolling up into Drift's thrust, taking his spike in as deep as it could go. He'd had larger spikes, more elaborate ones, more skilled lovers, but nothing compared to feeling his bonded mate shudder and cry out his designation as hot, thick, charged transfluid rushed into his valve.

Wing keened as overload crashed over him like a breaking tidal wave. His valve calipers tightened around Drift's spike, the jet's whole frame trembling, joints locked. Charge leaped and danced across fluffed plating, darting across to Drift's frame only to return, intensified by the overload there. The bond was wide open, alive and thrumming with pleasure, desire and intense affection as Wing's valve was filled, the thick spike jerking with each burst of pleasure that pumped a little more transfluid into the mix.

The last burst came with a near sob from Drift, his frame pushed through pleasure and into the neutral confusion between it and pain. It was a pain he welcomed though, like he did no other. White hot, searing and pure, it was a blissful extreme he'd learned to desire like few things.

Managing to free his wrists from Drift's grasp, Wing reached up to wrap his arms around his mate's shoulders, fingers lightly stroking the back of his neck. Love flowed through their bond, wrapping around Drift's spark, bright and shining.