Chapter 19
Of Chatterboxes and Chess Boards

Section Specific warnings: Bluestreak.

OoOoOoOo

"Oh hey, I was looking for my creators but they don't seem to be here, which is weird cause you'd think they'd be here cause you're in here and they don't have a shift, and I can't imagine them leaving you alone for too long what with my new brother coming soon, and is that chess cause I really like to play chess, but carrier doesn't like to play chess because it's too easy for his battle computer, and he says it's like seeing the pieces in one dimension, and progenitor doesn't really like chess, and sometimes I can get Sunny to play, but I shouldn't have said that, cause he hates it when people call him Sunny, and also he doesn't want anyone to know he's secretly kinda smart..."

"Blue?" Thundercracker couldn't keep the laughter out of his voice.

"Yes?" Bluestreak asked, optics wide.

"Do you want to play chess?" The Seeker finally asked blandly. A smile twitching across the malleable metal of his face.

The grey Praxian nearly hopped in place, his excitement written on his face plates. "Really, you mean it? No one ever wants to play with me, wow, that's so great, really it is. Have you ever played before, but I guess you would have since you had the board set up. You do like to play right, I wouldn't want to make you do something you really don't want to. Carrier said not to upset you because of the newspark, I'm really excited about having a new brother, I've always wanted one, and they are both so glad you are here. Really, really glad...but I wasn't supposed to say that. They like you a lot but they said it makes you nervous when someone points it out, you aren't upset are you?"

Thundercracker blinked at the youngling, "No...I'm not upset."

"You do like them, please say you do." he babbled on as he sat the pieces on the chessboards, and took a seat opposite the seeker. "Carrier always wanted a big family, and it's all my fault he couldn't have a bigger one because you know I hurt his spark. I really didn't mean to and carrier says it's not my fault, but it is really, and it makes me feel all sad and sick to think about it, because it's my fault I don't have any brothers or sisters. and I very nearly killed carrier. But that doesn't mean anything will happen to you, and maybe you can have more sparks later, are you going to? You should, it would make them both happy, and I bet it would make you happy too."

Thundercracker shook his head, opened his mouth and then closed it again. He didn't even know what to say to that. "I-I like them too. But I don't know about more sparks, I think one is probably enough for now." He turned his attention to the chessboard, moving a pawn. "Soooo...they like me a lot?"

"I would think you would be able to feel that through the bond, they really do, though, you know carrier really did say not to talk about it, so I'm pretty sure he meant not to talk about it. Carrier usually means what he says, he's pretty serious, not all the time though like everyone seems to think, because he wouldn't get along with progenitor very well at all if he was really THAT serious all the time, because progenitor is hardly ever serious, and we used to get into so much trouble together, and it would drive carrier crazy. This one time we rigged up this bucket of glue and glitter above Sunny's door, but don't tell Sunny because he would offline me if he found out it was me that did it, and I would be so sad if that happened because I really, really love him. But don't tell him...cause he doesn't know."

"Well, I won't tell him, I promise." Thundercracker said, and couldn't help but crack a smile. "And I think you should stop blaming yourself about Prowl. From what he has told me it would have happened regardless. His battle computer and processor are a big burden on his spark. He was never meant to carry. It's not your fault, so...don't blame yourself." He patted the smaller bot on the shoulder. He really was a good kid. "So, you and Sunstreaker?"

Blue blinked at him, "He doesn't know."

"You love him?"

The little grey bot fidgeted in his seat. Opened his mouth, snapped it shut and practically squirmed. "Yes." He finally said softly.

Thundercracker nodded, "You should probably tell him."

"Oh, I don't know if that is a good idea, what if he says no, what if he doesn't feel the same, I'd be so sad, so very, very sad. Crushed, in fact."

"Trust me, sweetspark, just tell him." Thundercracker said, and knew if "Sunny" did hurt this little bot he would make him very, very sorry.

Bluestreak's doorwings fluttered. "You really think so?"

"I do. If he has any sense at all he will snatch you up and never let got," Thundercracker said. "Trust me. If he is worth any thing he will love you back, and if he doesn't...well...then he probably isn't worth your time or worthy of you."

Bluestreak's optics widened. "I like you."

Thundercracker laughed, "I like you too, Bluestreak."

"I'm glad my creators bonded with you. I really am. You seem like such a good bot, I mean except for the decepticon thing, but you aren't really one now, so I guess it doesn't matter does it? But you make them happy. You really do, and I hope they make you happy to. You deserve to be happy, and so does your sparkling. Have you thought of any names? Do you mind if I think of him as a brother? I really want to. It will be so great to have someone younger than me. There really aren't many, but Bumblebee...and Bee doesn't act that young. not really. He's always so busy, but I guess we all are...um...busy I mean. Oh...OH! I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"No, you aren't Blue. Not at all. I'm glad you would think of my sparkling that way. he will need friends and protectors," Thundercracker said with a hint of a smile, he nudged Bluestreak, "It's your turn, kiddo."

Bluestreak made a squeaking noise, "Sorry, got distracted."

"It's okay. Take your time," Thundercracker said, and did smile at last.