Sideswipe was dragged from the brink of recharge by the feeling of a storm approaching.
Uh oh.
Gently, he stroked the cheek strut of the mech next to him on the berth. Mirage's optics brightened slowly.
"What's wrong?" The voice was sleepy and adorable and any other time Sideswipe would be kissing the living air out of his lover in response, but not tonight. Not with that storm in his spark.
"Sunstreaker's despairing," he replied softly. "I need some brother time. Please?"
"Of course." Mirage smiled and sat up. "Don't feel bad. I understand."
"Thanks. Love you, babe." He couldn't completely resist the kiss, but he tried to keep it brief at least. "You're the best."
"Love you back." Mirage's smile was gentle. "Good luck. Let me know if you need anything. Either of you."
That's why Sideswipe adored Mirage. Because Mirage was just as kind to Sunstreaker as he was to Sideswipe.
Well, minus the kisses and the tactile affection and the mind-blowing 'facing, of course. That was all for Sideswipe.
No sooner was Mirage gone than Sunstreaker stormed in. Sideswipe instantly sat up straight. One glance was enough to tell him that this was bad.
"Sunny? Bro, talk to me."
Sunstreaker just snarled at him, optics nearly white, fists clenched so tightly Sideswipe could see the stress fractures to the knuckles. His brother was pacing like a wild beast in a cage, heat pouring off him in waves.
-Sunstreaker. Please.- Wordlessly, Sideswipe sent everything he felt for his brother over the bond – the love, the fierce admiration, the protectiveness. –Talk to me.-
Abruptly, Sunstreaker stopped, optics glued to the floor. Now that he was still, Sideswipe could see how his entire body was vibrating. –It won't work, Sides. It won't ever work.-
-What won't? Bro, please.- Sideswipe stood, walked carefully over to take Sunstreaker's trembling hands. –Let me help.-
Sunstreaker collapsed against him, strutless, a sob pulling from his chest. –Optimus Prime will never be with a monster.-
Fury burned through Sideswipe. All that work to make Sunstreaker believe in himself and his own worth, and now this? –Who said it? I'll tear their helm off!- He was all but snarling as he guided Sunstreaker to the berth and pulled him down to curl against his side.
Sunstreaker just shook his head, though. –No one said it. Not like that. But when I tried to walk closer…- Another one of those broken sobs, and strong fingers clung to Sideswipe's plating. –They looked at me like I was a danger, Sides. They all did! They were tense and alert and some of them shifted to stand in front of him, so I wouldn't get close! Like I was going to harm him!-
"So they're slaggers," Sideswipe said angrily. "They have no right. None."
"They have every right," Sunstreaker replied, his voice tremulous. "I'm… I'm bad, Sides. It's the truth."
Sideswipe was shaking his head before Sunstreaker was even done talking. He cradled Sunstreaker's face, tilting it up so his brother was forced to look at him. "No, it's not. I know your spark, bro. You're not bad, you're not broken, you're not insane or glitching or mad or crazy or any of those words they throw around. You're not." He sighed and kissed his brother's forehead. "Don't give up. Please. You were doing so well and you've wanted this for so long."
"There's no hope, though." Sunstreaker sighed. "Face it, Sides, I'm a lost cause. It won't ever happen."
"I don't believe that, and neither should you," Sideswipe said firmly. "I mean, I got Mirage, for Primus' sake. I never thought that could happen either. But it did, and he loves me. And you can have that too. There's nothing wrong with you, Sunny." He grinned. "Besides, we're coming up on Halloween. Isn't that when monsters like me and you and Jazz and Ironhide and Cliffjumper and such are supposed to roam free and rule the world?"
Sunstreaker snorted a laugh, and Sideswipe crowed in victory internally at the faint lightening of his brother's mood. "You're such a glitch. Anyway, it's Christmas that's the season of hope."
"So? That's coming up too!" He hugged his brother again. "Don't give up, Sunny. We'll get there."
They would. Sideswipe would make sure of that. He would prove to Sunstreaker that his brother was worthy of love, worthy of affection, the rest of the Autobots be damned.
Maybe it was time for Sideswipe to start nudging things in the right direction.
