CHAPTER 48
Love

Jeff could feel his body nearly collapsing from exhaustion about the fourth hour of his and Bluestreak's Mario Kart grudge match. Jeff felt his body slacking, though he could also feel himself leaning against his holoform. Blue smirked at his young nephew, rolling his eyes silently, the boy was a bundle of energy most of the day, but of course he fell fast. "Come on, kid, you're falling asleep on me and we're not even on round fifty." Bluestreak nudged his rib cage a little "Come on, kid. You're going to pass out already?" He questioned.

"Mmmmm." Jeff shook his head "I'm just worn out uncle Blue, it's already like, midnight."

Bluestreak checked his internal clock, a little stunned to see his nephew was right. Chuckling a little, he leaned his head against the top of Jeff's head. Jeff grinned a little bit, taking in the affection without any resistance. "I'm not going to bed though. That would mean following my bed time." Jeff noted as he stood up "I'm not supposed to be following the rules yet."

Bluestreak shrugged a bit, knowing full well Jeff needed sleep, but he wasn't about to scold him on that. Allowing Jeff to stand up, Bluestreak's holoform dissipated slowly. Jeff could feel he was tired, but of course, being sixteen still felt the desire to rebel even the tiniest bit. Allowing Bluestreak to pick him up, he peered up at the mech as he already began to walk out of the room. "Where are we going, man?" Jeff questioned "You seem like you already have an idea." He added.

Bluestreak didn't answer, he simply exited the base slowly and out towards the beach. Jeff quietly hoped he wouldn't ask him if he could swim, as his inability to honestly and truly embarrassed him more than most things. But a moment passed and Bluestreak set him down, his optics looking out to the water as if deep in thought. "This is where I tend to go in the middle of the night. Where I can think through the points of the day." Bluestreak seated himself on the sand "Perhaps you might enjoy it." He added.

"You enjoy something quiet?" Jeff questioned in shock.

Bluestreak laughed at that, not at all surprised by the sentiment. Jeff simply sat there silently, his eyes wandering off in the distance too. He didn't know why it was still bothering him in the back of his mind, or what made him feel this way, but he was still worried. What if this was the last time he came to visit what he hoped would be his new "uncles"? "Jeff?" Bluestreak noted the fear in Jeff's eyes "What's wrong?" He questioned.

Jeff shook his head, and pushed the bangs away from his eyes. He didn't want to kill the great day, but deep inside, he knew this would bother him until the day the ink dried on his adoption papers. "I'm already having an amazing time." Jeff explained "But I guess I'm still just worried that something's going to happen." He peered over at Bluestreak "I don't know what I'm more afraid about. That dad'll decide I'm not worth the trouble or that they won't let him adopt me." He admitted.

"Prowl? Not adopt you?" Jeff turned to see Smokescreen heading towards them "Primus kid, every time I call him up, you're the first thing I hear about." He explained, quite bluntly "He's never gonna give up on adopting you even if they say no. He's probably gonna keep trying." The mech took a seat beside him "Come on, kid, our brother loves you." He noted "Hey, by the way, sorry for not being around for a while. I was deployed for a mission." He noted.

Jeff gave the eldest of the three brothers a smile. Though he knew only a few things about Smokescreen himself, he knew that the mech would know best, as Prowl had always been closest to him. Leaning his body back, he sighed quietly, resting his hands on his stomach. "I guess I just love this family so much. You guys, the 'bots on the main base..." Jeff muttered "Prowl..." He shook his head a bit "I keep thinking that it can't last." He added.

"It's going to." Bluestreak piped up "Believe me."

Jeff nodded his head a little bit, feeling his eyes growing heavier. Though he wasn't sure who lifted him a moment later, he rested his body in the crook of the massive arm. He was tired, both from the trip and the game marathon that he'd just gone through. "I'll get him off to bed." Smokescreen noted, and seemed to be the one holding him "I'm off to recharge myself. Goodnight, Blue." He noted.

Jeff felt the mech carry him some distance before setting him in the soft bed they'd installed in their room. The blankets went over him, as he felt two blue optics bare down upon him with concern, Smokescreen heaved a sigh. "You shouldn't worry y'know... I know my brother, you're not going anywhere." Jeff shifted a bit at that "Get some rest, Jeff. Love you." He noted.

It was the first time that someone other than Prowl had stated that to him. To hear it from a family member he barely even knew did, in many ways calm his fears. He knew that the words meant that though it wasn't official yet, Smokescreen considered him family, and loved him accordingly. Jeff didn't doubt Bluestreak did either, which brought him further comfort. Perhaps his fears were for nothing, for if social services found out how his new family felt about him. There was no way, no way they could take him away.

Or at least he hoped. Slowly, he sat up in the bed, and turned to look over at Smokescreen. The question in his mind was whether or not the mech even meant it, if his new family as a whole did love him. He'd spent some time with them on his last visit, they'd been great, and he loved them like uncles, but perhaps it was just what they felt they needed to say. "Uncle Smokescreen?" The mech turned his head towards Jeff "How do you know you love me? We've only known each other a little while." He noted.

Smokescreen seated himself on the berth that he had silently. The boy brought up a believable question, after all, they had only known each other for a short time. But he did love the young human, it was his nephew as far as he was concerned, and he had done nothing to anger him. Prowl's bond to him did ease it a bit as well, as it gave him a bond to the boy as well. Once you were connected to one family member, you were connected to them all in a way. Smiling gently, he winked a little at the human. "You're my nephew, aren't you?" He noted "Stop giving it so much thought, accept it kid. We're a loving type of family though we don't look it." He noted.

"I've noticed." Jeff replied, a small smile crossing his face "I love you too uncle Smokey." He teased.

"Only Blue can call me that." Smokescreen snorted "Now get to sleep. I've got you tomorrow and I want you awake." He laid back onto his berth again "Sweet dreams, kid."

Jeff felt his eyes grow heavy again as he laid himself against the bed. Though he knew the reassurance may only last him a while, as it usually did, it still felt good. At the very least, if he did leave Prowl, he could now go on knowing he was loved by three mechs as a real, genuine family member. That was more than he could say for a long time. And that was good enough for him.

...

A/N: You'll get Prowl and Sideswipe's night out next chapter! But I felt like writing a bit of fluff with Jeff and his "uncles".