Yours, Mine, and Ours

Chapter 2: Setting the Rules Straight

Mornings in the Prime's household were probably Optimus's favorite time of day. Even if it was for a few kliks, the Prime savored every moment. He would sit on the glider on the back porch with a datapad in one servo and a freshly brewed cube of energon in another. He would watch the sun rise and everyone's busy day begin while he enjoyed himself. That is, until the sparklings monitor went off. When he heard one of his sparklings calling for him, the cube and datapad was brought into the dining area and the sparklings were taken from their berths. Usually, his older children would make their way downstairs and ask for their morning energon before they had to go to school and Optimus brought his sparklings to the Sparkling Center in Iacon. Then, the Prime would spend the majority of his day working.

This cycle, however, Optimus not only took the day off in order to help everyone else fall into a routine, but he was joined for his morning energon. When the Prime stepped onto the porch and walked to his usually spot, he noticed a purple and black youngling sitting in his usual spot. "Oh, I did not expect anyone else to be awake his early little one. Did I wake you?"

Soundwave shook his head, gesturing to the datapad in his servo. "Ah, you enjoy reading as well then. Very good. Perhaps you can encourage Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack to take up reading as well." Optimus sat down next to the youngling, causing it to sway a little. "Do you mind if I join you? I like to start my cycles out here."

He took the silence as an 'okay' and began reading his own datapad. The older mech would occasionally glance over to what Soundwave was reading, never getting a good enough look to see what he was reading. The two sat out on the porch together, enjoying the morning with their different reading material. It wasn't until they heard the back door open that they both looked away from their datapads. Megatron walked out with his own fresh cube of energon in his servos, a tired smile on his face. "Ah, there you two are. I went to check on you and your siblings Soundwave, but when I did not see you in your berth, I remembered that Optimus was usually an earlier riser as well."

Soundwave stood up from his spot on the glider, making room for his Sire to sit next to the Prime. The youngling nodded to the two mechs before going inside to read, knowing when it was time to leave grownups alone. "He is an interesting youngling." Optimus said quietly, resting his helm on the gladiator's shoulder. "I tried to make conversation, but he seems to enjoy the silence."

"Yes." Megatron nodded, wrapping one arm around Optimus. "Soundwave has barely said anything to me or any of his siblings since I adopted him. I have taken him to medical professionals, but they have all said it is just a phase of life, and when he is ready to speak, he will."

It sounded logical, but Optimus still worried a little in the back of his processor. "Truthfully, I am surprised you are out of recharge so early sweetspark." Optimus joked, "I remember clearly that you said you usually do not wake until your children wake you."

He laughed, causing his chest to rumble, "It is peculiar. It seems that I recharge much better with someone else in the berth." He kissed the top of Optimus's helm gently, "Or maybe it was that greeting you gave me?" Megatron whispered, causing the Prime to bury his face into the warm armor.

"Megatron!" he groaned, "There could be little ones listening!"

The gladiator let out a chuckle, "You did not seem to worried about that in the previous cycle."

Optimus locked optics with Megatron, but before he could come up with a response, the older mech captured the Prime's lips with his own and began kissing him. It seemed like the two of them were in their own little world out on the back porch, as things were escalating between the lovers.

Yet, all good things must come to an end. And what's a better mood killer than a crying sparkling. Optimus quickly stopped their activities and began gathering his things that ended up on the floor while Megatron let out a frustrated sigh, "Really?! You are going to stop because of crying?"

The Prime rolled his optics, holding out his free servo for the pouting mech to take. "Come on, it seems like the little ones are asking for us."

Sure enough, when both mechs walked in servo-in-servo, all of the sparklings were standing in their berths waiting to be taken out. "It seems as though you all recharged very well!" The Prime cooed as he made his way to Smokescreen. He picked up the little sparkling, then reached down for Bumblebee. The two sparklings were patting his chest lightly as their sign of greeting.

As he laughed at his youngest children, he looked over to where Megatron was having a little trouble getting his two sparklings out of their berths. Knockout seemed a little clingy this morning while Starscream was crabby. "Starscream, do not hit your brother. Knockout, you need to relax your grip a little, you are hurting me little one."

Optimus's chuckle cause the gladiator to look away from the whining sparklings in his arms, "Having some trouble?"

"They are troublesome little slaggers in the morning." He grumbled, trying to bounce the two in order to calm them down.

The Prime's optics widened at the curse word, "Megatron! Watch your language around little ones! They pick up on more than we think they do!" He led Megatron out of the nursery, down the hall, and down the stairs into the dining room. Optimus set down his sparklings in their chairs while Megatron set both of his sparklings onto his lap. "Maybe, I could hold them while you prepare the energon?" Optimus offered, holding out his servos to the tiny sparklings. "You seem a little agitated right now."

Megatron stood quickly, holding his whining sparklings out to the willing mech. "Great idea Optimus. Now you can get to know these crabby sparklings personally."

He shook his helm with a smile on his face, taking the fussy sparklings into his arms. "There there little ones. The morning is supposed to be peaceful." Optimus began rocking Knockout and Starscream as he paced the dining place. "Besides, you do not wish to wake your older siblings, now do you?" He tried whispering sweet nothings while also trying to entertain his own children, who looked a little jealous that their Sire was paying attention to other sparklings.

"Too late." A voice answered, causing the Prime to turn in the direction of the voice. Dreadwing, along with Ultra Magnus and Breakdown, stood in the doorway with tired expressions on their faces.

A small frown formed on the Prime's face. "I am sorry children, I tried to soothe these two, but it seems like these two are just not morning sparklings."

Dreadwing swiftly took Knockout, making the clingy little one satisfied to be with his older brother. He cooed, snuggling into the navy youngling's armor. "We are used to it sir. Soundwave informed me that they are more distressed than normal because they are in a new place." The youngling took a place at the table, rubbing Knockout's back gently while swaying a little.

At the mention of his name, Soundwave walked into the dining room with his datapad tucked under an arm. "Wave is so smart, he's teachin' me math." Breakdown yawned, taking a seat at the table between Soundwave and Bumblebee. He reached a servo out to the tiny yellow mech, letting the sparkling take it and play around with it. "You're a funny sparkling."

Optimus smiled, "His designation is Bumblebee." He knelt down to reach the tiny sparkling's height. "Bumblebee, this is Breakdown. Can you introduce yourself?"

Bee looked at the unfamiliar youngling, giving him a large smile before he dove to try and eat his servo. Breakdown laughed, pulling it away, "Hey! I'm not energon!"

This turned into a bit of a game, making Bee laugh hysterically at the new friend he made. The gladiator walked over to the table with energon cubes in his servos to see Breakdown laughing as he jerked his servo away from the yellow sparklings open mouth. "What is going on here?"

"I'm playing with the sparkling Sire." The blue youngling laughed, reaching his servo out to Bee again, "He thinks it's his energon!"

Megatron shook his helm, setting down a sparkling cube infront of Bee and a regular portion infront of Breakdown. "Well, I am sure there will be plently of time for you two to continue your game after you consume some energon."

He finished passing around the cubes as Bulkhead and Wheeljack walked into the dining room, rubbing his optics and trying not to yawn. Optimus smiled, "Good morning mechs. Did you recharge well?"

Wheeljack nodded, "Our new berth is awesome Sire! I got the top berth because Bulk is a little scared of fallin' out."

"No, I'm not!" Bulkhead protested, "I just didn't wanna climb all the way every cycle."

As the two playfully bantered among each other, they took a seat at the table and noticed that the other occupants were watching them. They looked at them awkwardly, then back at their Sire. "I am sorry Bulkhead and Wheeljack." Megatron apologized, setting energon down in front of the younglings. "Our morning energon is usually and quiet affair. There is not normally civil conversation in the morning."

It became quiet in the dining room, causing an awkward air to settle. Ultra Magnus quickly finished his energon, taking his cube with him as he began to leave the room, "Do not wander too far Magnus." Optimus said, spooning a bit of energon and placing the spoon in front of Smokescreen. "Once Arcee and Arachnid join us, we all need to discuss some new rules that will be put into effect immediately."

Ultra Magnus turned around, an optic ridge raised in wonder, "Rules? What kind of rules Sires?"

"All will be cleared up once the femmes join us." Megatron answered, causing Ultra Magnus to struggle holding back a glare at the gladiator.

The Prime gestured to the empty chair at the table, "Why not join us until they come down?"

…

Arcee and Arachnid finally joined everybody else down in the dining room, although it appeared that neither femme was willing to talk much this early in the cycle. Once consumption was done for everyone and the cubes were disposed of, Optimus led the two families into the family room in order to discuss some house rules. The sparklings were put onto the rug with some small toys to entertain them. Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Breakdown, and Soundwave all took a spot on the large couch. Ultra Magnus sat on a chair with Arcee sitting in his lap. Arachnid opted to joining Dreadwing on the love seat. Megatron, along with Optimus, stood in front of the crowd of younger Cybertronians, all optics on them (for the most part).

"Thank you for cooperating children." Optimus began, looking over the small crowd of children with thoughtful optics. "I suppose you could say that this is our first family meeting."

Dreadwing huffed, rolling his optics. "We are not a family." He mumbled, causing Megatron to give him a harsh glare.

Ultra Magnus couldn't help but nod his helm, giving his shoulders a small shrug. "Well," Optimus cleared his throat, "that may be true as of now Dreadwing, but once your Sire and I make it official, all of us will become one family unit."

"Wither you like it or not." Megatron added, sending daggers towards Dreadwing. "So, you had all better get used to living with each other."

Optimus placed a gentle servo on the gladiator's shoulder, "Megatron, I believe that the children understand." He gave Megatron a soft smile, "Yet, in order to make the transition go more smoothly for everyone, these rules will help be a bit of a guide." The Prime subspaced a few datapads and began handing them out to the older children. "These are a list of chores that need to be taken care of every seven cycles. And after the seventh cycle, the responsibilities will change."

Arachnid looked up in shock as she read over the list, "Clean the wash racks? Mop the dining room? Clean the playroom?" she handed the datapad back over to Dreadwing, "Sire, why do we have to do chores!? I thought Optimus has servants and maids!?"

Wheeljack and Bulkhead laughed, yet stopped quickly once they got a look of disappointment from their Sire. "I am sorry to debunk your theory Arachnid, but they only inhabitants in this house are the ones sitting in this room as we speak." After handed out the lists, he gave the rest of the children a time to read it over. "There are also a few rules we would like to discuss."

All optics were back to the grownup mechs. Megatron decided to begin, "You are each responsible to clean your rooms as well as cleaning up after yourself when you are not playing in the playroom." Once there was some nodding from the children, the gladiator continued. "Once you younglings return from school, homework is to be completed right away."

"Come home?" Ultra Magnus asked, "We all go to Uncle Ratchet's place after school until Sire comes to get us." He informed Megatron, "Then, we do our homework after our evening consumption, when our Sire can help us."

The Prime nodded, "You are correct Magnus, that is how it used to be. However, Megatron and I have different hours of work. He works early mornings while I am not typically finished until closer to evening consumption." The room had an awkward silence form. "From now on, you will return home after school and be here with Megatron."

Bulkhead frowned, "But, what about Uncle Ratchet? Won't he miss us?"

"He will come visit when he can Bulkhead." Optimus explained, "Ratchet informed me that he needs to go on a business trip to help some sick Cybertronians in Kaon. I am sure he will come back full of stories to tell you."

Optimus's children all took a brief moment to process this new change. Megatron cleared his throat, bringing most of the attention back to him. "When your homework and chores for the day are completed, you are allowed to entertain yourselves until evening consumption."

"A wash rack schedule will be placed on the wash rack doors." The Prime explained, pulling out another datapad. "I understand that there is a large number of us in this house, so there needs to be a limited time for everyone in the wash racks."

Arcee and Arachnid's optics widened, "What?! Why?" They cried. Once they noticed they both spoke on top of each other, they shot glares at each other.

The blue femme looked to her Sire, "Sire, there is no way you can time when we'll need the wash racks! That's not possible!"

The Prime sighed, "Arcee, I this is for before and after you go the school. Mainly for washing."

She huffed, leaning back into Ultra Magnus's chest. The children sat and listened to the other rules that were said, with most of them involving behaving and the consequence that would happen if they misbehaved. Whining sparkling on the rug, some of which were trying to escape into the dining room, brought the grownups attention to them. "Well, are there any questions children?" Optimus asked, reaching down to grab a toddling Bumblebee.

No one answered, trying to avoid optic contact with the other family. "If there are any later on, plan on asking them during evening consumption." Megatron instructed, "You are dismissed."

All of the younglings jumped up from their seats, running towards the playroom or to their own rooms. Optimus sighed, picking up Smokescreen from the ground as well and taking a seat on the large couch. "I believe that could have gone better."

Knockout was trying to pull himself up onto the couch. With a grin, the Prime helped him the rest of the way up. Bumblebee wiggled off his Sire's lap to join Knockout on their endeavor of throwing all the pillows on the ground.

Megatron took a seat on the chair that Dreadwing once sat at. "Younglings this age believe they already know everything. I believe it went as well as it was going to be." He blocked Starscream's path into the dining room with a large servo. "If rules need to be adjusted or taken completely, we will fix it when we need to."

"I suppose you are right Megatron." The Prime sighed, "I am just worried that your children will not warm up to me quickly, and my children will not warm up to you."

The gladiator finally just picked Starscream up, causing the little Seeker to screech loudly, flailing his limbs around in protest. "Why not? It seems like Knockout and Starscream already like you." Optimus held out his servo for the fussy Starscream.

When the little one was laying on the large chest next to Smokescreen, Optimus laid his large servos over both of them, causing them both to shutter their optics in exhaustion. "But, are the 'sparkling whisperer'" The gladiator joked, forming a smile as he rested his helm on one of his servos.

"Maybe an outing will help all of the children not only bond with us, but with each other?" Optimus smiled, thinking about places to take the children. "I heard the Crystal Gardens are beautiful at this time."

…

Nothing seemed to be going right for Arcee. She did not want to go the Crystal Gardens with these strangers. She did not want her buddy to be Arachnid. She did not want to stare at the stupid displays. Arcee wanted to go back to her house and set her doll house back up to the way it was. But no. Her Sire decided that a 'family' outing would be just what everyone needed to bond.

Now, the large group of younglings were making their way back to where the grownups told them to meet once they were finished in the youngling section. Megatron and Optimus took the sparklings to the sparkling center where there were activites for them to play with. The gladiator put Soundwave in charge of the group, trusting the quiet youngling to watch after them.

"This is dumb." Breakdown complained, crossing his arms in a pout. "What's so great about shiny rocks anyways?"

Ultra Magnus rolled his optics, "Maybe if you would read the sign, you would know the significance of the crystals in front of you."

Breakdown narrowed his optics, sending a glare towards the older mech. "Not all of us are big nerds like you Magnus!"

"Reading doesn't make you a nerd Breakdown." Wheeljack explained, "It's better to be smart anyways, so no one calls you a dummy." The white mech began to smirk, "I guess because you don't read, that makes you a dummy!"

The blue mech's optics widened, "I am not a dummy!" he whined, patting Dreadwings arm, "Dreadwing, tell them I'm not dumb!"

The older youngling looked towards the arguing younglings, "Who called you dumb Breakdown?" He watched as Breakdown point to Wheeljack, "Really? I do not think he has any room to talk when it comes to level of intelligence."

With a smirk, Dreadwing tried not the laugh as Bulkhead and Wheeljack tried to analyze what was just said. "HEY!" Wheelkjack said, "Ultra Magnus! Tell Dreadwing to shut his big slaggin' mouth!"

"That's a bad word!" Arachnid cried, "I'm gonna tell me Sire when I see him!"

Arcee shook her head, "Nuh-uh! I'm gonna tell my Sire that your brothers are being mean to my brothers! Then they'll all get in trouble!"

The femmes ran ahead of the group, racing towards where their Sire's were located. Soundwave stopped them though, taking each femme by the back of their helms and lifting them into his arms. The others looked at the oldest youngling with wide optics, getting ready to rescue their sister if they had to. "You must stay with the group." Megatron's voice said from behind Soundwave's visor.

Arachnid squirmed, trying to jump out of the strong arms and onto the ground, while Arcee's optics began to fill up with unshed tears. "Let her go Soundwave!" Ultra Magnus said, reaching for his sister, "You are scaring her!"

Soundwave gave Magnus Arcee, watching the youngling try to reassure the blue femme with whispered words. The rest of the walk was tense, with no one wanting to upset the mech and cause more trouble than they were probably in with their Sires. Once the group arrived, surrounded by a lot of other sparklings playing with crystal equipment, they found Optimus and Megatron sitting on a bench. "Hello children." The Prime greeted with a grin, "Did you enjoy your time at the gardens?"

"No." Breakdown frowned, climbing into his Sire's lap. "Wheeljack and Bulkhead called me a dummy."

Bulkhead frowned, "But he called Magnus a nerd!"

"And Dreadwing called me and Bulk a dummy!" Wheeljack explained, grabbing onto his Sire's servo to gain his attention.

Arachind huffed, finally being set down by Soundwave, "But then Wheeljack said a bad word Sire! He told Dreadwing to shut is bad word mouth!"

Megatron held up his servos as more of the children tried to give their side of the story. "I have heard enough. Today was supposed to be an enjoyable outing, and you ended up fighting with each other again." He shook his helm, setting Breakdown before standing up, "Once we return home, Soundwave will explain to us what really happened. As of now, all of you will be sitting quietly in your rooms until a punishment is thought of."

…

"Do we really have to punish them Megatron?" Optimus questioned as he kneeled next to the large tub. The sparklings were taking a bath before their recharge time, enjoying their time in the water. "They were just in a quarrel."

Megatron was gently scrubbing Starscream's wings, being careful not to rub too hard on the sensitive parts. "Wheeljack cursed at Dreadwing Optimus!" Water was poured on top of the Seekers helm, causing him to giggle. "And that was the result of them arguing with each other, just like the last cycle."

The Prime looked down at the happy sparklings in the tub, playing with their toys and sharing with one another. "I suppose, but nothing too harsh. They do all begin school in the next cycle and will have homework to occupy their time."

The plug was pulled on the tub, and the water slowly made its way down the drain. "What about limited play time?" Megatron offered, taking the red mech out of the tub and setting him on the floor, "All they do is their homework and their chores."

"For how long?" Optimus asked, drying Bumblebee off gently while making sure Smokescreen didn't crawl away.

Megatron thought about. "Just the school cycle. Maybe by then, the children will have learned their lesson."

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!