Servant

by MissCHSparkles

AU. Megatron has successfully conquered Cybertron and now he demands tributes. Unfortunately for a young Prime, he is that tribute and now must become the consort to the emperor and becomes Sparked. By chance, he manages to smuggle his offspring out so that he might experience the freedom his carrier has been denied. But what will happen when Valour's path crosses that of his Sire?

21. Chapter 21

Author's note. Written by me and the-writing-mew.

Enjoy and please review.

...

"You're back mama," Valour said excitedly, flying into his mother's arms as she came through the arched entrance.

"I am," she said gently, hugging him back. He still needed reassurance after what had happened but she was happy to give it. "How's my little prince?"

"Good," he said, snuggling against her chest. "Mama, can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course," she said, stroking his head. "I've no intention of going anywhere. Why don't we watch a holo-vid together, just the two of us?"

"Great," he said, beaming widely.

As they walked she couldn't help but see something in those gardens...

Besides the carrying femmes with giggling seekerlets there was a couple of sparklings that called her attention.

Alpha Trion's daughter and Starscream's new son.

They were there, against the fountain sleeping peacefully and taking each other's hand as they did so. The Air Commander had not awaken yet and Skyfire was unable to find a suitable name for his son, so, the little one remained unnamed.

However that hadn't stopped the High Councilmech's creation from being near him all the times... And making a scene if they were separated.

She frowned. Sometimes Slipstream came and talked to them before walking away and those kids looked at her straight in the optic as if understanding her... Or the others. The medic femme was there when Soundwave announced that Aurora was an ancient spark... However she wondered if that shuttle sparkling was one too?

How else can be explained their behaviour?

Well, at least they were not hers, and if she ever carried, she hoped to never carry an ancient, reincarnated spark. Who can cope with all that?

After Valour got asleep in the middle of the movie, she covered him in their blankets and allowed him to continue sleeping... But she sneaked away to a certain shuttle's quarters...

...and he was waiting for her.

He was an amazing lover now that he was not crazy anymore and could control his overloads before she came too, and it just felt so good to do this.

"You... You've turned me into an addict..." She gasped between pants as they came for a third time.

"Hmmm... Sorry?" He tried not really feeling sorry at all.

She smirked and tightened her valve around him making him groan.

"You feel anything but sorry," The femme answered before reaching for his lips and demanded a kiss from him which was gladly given.

She was wearing some of her veils and gems as they made love and the shuttle loved it... It made her even more beautiful like this.

"I really don't feel sorry..." He said rolling them so he was on top now before kissing her deeply again and touching her everywhere. "I love this... I love you, Red."

She moaned as he assaulted her neck ready for round four.

However...

*knock-knock...*

"Mama? Are you in there?"

Both gasped and separated fast not knowing what to do first and remained petrified.

"Can I come in if you finished dominating Angel?" The sparkling asked making them flush deeply...

...but in case of Red, to pale again faster as her son had an idea of what she was doing in here!

"Uh...just give me a moment," she called out, she did not want him to see the state she and Angel were in.

"Okay," he replied. She'd been sure he'd sleep soundly, or at least long enough that she could return to his side.

"Come on," she commanded her lover, urging him to get up and start cleaning. He looked extremely disappointed but obeyed her, grabbing some cleaning cloths to wipe away the evidence. They worked as fast as they could until eventually Red deemed everything satisfactory.

"You can come in now, sweetie," she called to Valour who'd been waiting very patiently outside. He instantly came in and hurried over to her.

"I woke up and you weren't there," he said reproachfully, giving Angelwings a glare. "Was he being naughty again?"

Resisting the urge to chuckle, she said. "Yes, he was I'm afraid. I'm sorry darling, I didn't think you'd wake, I was coming back."

He bit his lip, thinking it over. Finally, he said. "You look really pretty mama,"

Touching her veils, she said. "Thank you baby. Do you want to snuggle, I could read you a story if you're feeling wide awake."

"Okay," he said, brightening up.

As she lifted him onto the berth and settled against her lover, her son spoke up.

"Why are you so naughty all the time, doesn't your sire tell you off?"

"He uh...doesn't do it as well as Red," Angelwings said, shooting Red Alert an admiringly look. "She's a wonderful femme, your mother."

"I know," Valour said seriously. "And I'll protect her if anyone tries to take her again."

"Aww," Red said, cuddling him to her chest as her son gave the larger shuttle a serious look, letting him know he wouldn't tolerate his mother being spirited away again. Angel couldn't help but think her adopted son was like her in a lot of ways. It suddenly made him wonder what it would be like if they ever had a child. But his Red probably wasn't looking for that and he didn't deserve her as his mate, she was too good for him.

"Slipstream's missing Starscream," Valour suddenly said before Red could start a story. "She's worried he won't wake up."

"He had a hard time carrying her little brother," Red Alert said gently. "His spark was put under great pressure carrying all those little seekers at once, his body and spark needs time to recover from the latest birth. But he's a very strong bot and since he was happy before giving birth, that helps his chances."

"How does it help?" Valour asked curiously.

"Well, if he was sad or depressed, he would have less will to fight to recover," she explained. "But since he knows Skyfire and all his children love him, not to mention bots like your Sire, he has lots of good reasons for recovering. I believe he will wake up and soon."

"That would be good, Slip's brother doesn't have a name yet," Valour stated. "Neither does the techno-sparklings."

"I heard about that," Angel murmured. "They want to see what their children look like before they name them."

Valour looked sternly at the shuttle making him flinch slightly. It seemed the sparkling didn't want him in their conversation.

Well, it was normal for sparklings to feel jealous of their creators... Even if they are adoptive.

"Where's your sire? Why he's not here teaching you manners?"

"Valour!" Scolded his mother making him lower his shoulders and say: "Sorry..."

Angelwings smiled sadly and shook his head. "It's okay, Red... He deserves to know,"

Red Alert grimaced but still let him continue.

"My sire loved my mother... He... He took my mother from the streets on Praxus and looked after her before bringing her here with the other femmes...," He trailed off trying to hold back his emotions. "She loved him too, but he never told her how things worked here and was worried if she produced a grounder it would be killed..."

The shuttle took another breath. "In the end she ended up carrying as was expected and... And it was me..."

Valour remained in silence hearing the story and watching how he was unable to control his wings and how these betrayed his emotions.

"I know it sounds silly but... I could FEEL her love towards me when I was still within her... No one... I mean, I've never felt anything like that again... Until I met your mother," He was now grabbing his chest as in pain.

"When she went into labour, things got complicated and... And she died," Tears now escaped his blue optics. Valour let out a gasp, but let him continue nonetheless.

"My father was devastated... And days later he... He followed her to the Well."

Silence followed as Valour hugged his mother not knowing what to say; 'sorry' was not enough.

"I was raised by grandsire and he implanted our 'traditions' in me... I... Didn't mean to force Red to do anything... I just... Needed her... Still do."

Another awkward moment of silence followed before the prince spoke: "But... She's my mom... She cannot be your mom... You're too old for that."

Angelwings looked at the innocent sparkling in surprise. Did he honestly thought that he wanted Red for his mother?

"I... I know..." The shuttle tried. "But I... Don't want her for my mother... I love her and... I wish I can deserve her as a mate."

Primus... He said it to a sparkling!

Maybe at his age only Skyfire's daughter could understand it since he heard of her intelligence... But this one here...?

He also heard -slightly- that he was quite like his sire, jealous for his things and loved ones, especially with Slipstream who couldn't even be looked by other bots without his permission, no matter how 'lovely' and 'cute' he pretended to be; however he was kind and generous nonetheless.

Well, most sparklings are possessive over their things but he still doubted Valour can understand how he wanted his mother and what he wanted to do with her, he's not that intelligent yet, right?

Oh Primus... He wished to drug him to sleep so he can continue fragging his beautiful, hot mother until both collapse.

Yes, he thought that; and who wouldn't with her dressing in those things? He just wished to not be interrupted again, especially by her possessive adoptive son.

Valour just tilted his head to the side processing his answer.

"You want her to love you too?" Finally answered the little heir. "As her boyfriend?"

To the doctor's surprise, Valour did understood his words.

"Yes...," he managed to say. "I want her to love me like that."

"So," Valour began slowly. "Why was she dominating you?"

Angelwing's wings fluttered nervously before saying. "My grandsire is not a kind Mech and we were never taught how to court femmes, only to take them and imprison them her. Your mother is teaching me how to be a proper gentlemech and sometimes I need a little...reproaching."

He felt pleased with his explanation and he hoped it worked with this sparkling.

"So she's teaching you like my grandsire teaches me and the others about social etiquette?" Valour asked.

"Yes, something like that," Angel agreed. "I'm learning how to properly treat a femme, how to give and not just take."

"You want to be my new dad?" Valour couldn't help but say and Angelwings was lost for words. Honestly, he hadn't really thought about the little sparkling while with Red, perhaps it was selfish but he'd rather just have her all to himself.

"We're not quite there yet," Red said, giving him a kiss. "We're both learning, I've never really had a boyfriend before so I'm experiencing what it's like. We might end up parting eventually."

This caused the shuttle's wings to droop at this possibility but Valour was nodding.

"What does grandpa think?" he asked, remembering how Ratchet had reacted.

"I haven't discussed it fully with him but I will soon," Red assured him and Angel grimaced, the old Medic definitely didn't like him.

"What if he says no like he did with Hook?" the innocent sparkling asked, making Angelwings almost choke. There were others after his beautiful Red?

The femme in question laughed and gave her son another kiss.

"Baby, that wasn't serious, Daddy and Hook were just acting silly. Why don't we have that story, we can talk more in the morning."

"Okay mama," he said, snuggling in again.

"And what about Aid?" He then asked again and this time Angel did choke.

Both femme and sparkling looked at him in worry.

"You ok?" Tried Valour as the bigger mech tried to vent and nodded.

He really disliked the idea of so many mechs after his Red... She was his and his only! He took her virginity and innocence, he was hers as well!

It was more than enough to share her with her sire and adoptive son... But to have others hunting her?

No way!

Just as he thought about this Valour settled himself in the middle of the big berth with his mother in one side and he on the other... It was like he was preventing them from trying anything. He would have 'asked' the sparkling to move to a side, but he knew that Red Alert will hate him treating her son like that.

However he still disliked the idea of him sleeping on purpose there.

The beautiful femme medic started a nice story for her son, and soon he was falling asleep. His face calmed just as the rest of his body. However Angel was not even near tired... And he wanted more with his Red.

"Oh! Angel! Stop! My son is here!" She hissed as he assaulted her neck and touched her chest.

"Then leave him here and let's go somewhere else..." He gasped trying to catch her mouth.

"No!" She said pushing him away as Valour snuggled closer to her.

The shuttle growled in annoyance.

"Hey!" She suddenly hissed dangerously. "He comes with ME, if you have a problem with that, I can easily find someone who doesn't mind about my son and can love him as much as he can love me!"

That stopped him.

She was right, she could leave him and find another. He hadn't even dared to speak his mindd. He was angry and frustrated by the interruption, but only one slip and he will lose her forever... That was for sure.

"Now, lay there and try to sleep, or go and take a cold shower!" She added and he grimaced crossing his arms.

She frowned reading his thoughts and didn't liked it one bit. He wants her all for himself...
It seems he was not used to sharing... Or even educated to.

That annoyed her, but with Valour here she couldn't reprogram him now, so she will need to do something else...

Red Alert couldn't bear to be near someone who couldn't accept her son too; especially as said sparkling saved his life from being executed by his sire and her sire. This afthole owes him his life and should give him more credit and respect. But he wasn't and she was not going to tolerate it.

So, getting up from the berth - to Angelwings surprise- she took her sleeping son in arms and started after the door.

Desperated, Angel tried to stop her. "Where are you going?"

She looked at him hatefully making him flinch. "I will not tolerate someone who wants to get rid of my son just so he can frag me more."

Her words froze him. She read his mind!

"By now you must know that HE is first for me and always will. I raise him, I've found him and I've fed him, and above everything I made sure he was safe and love him as much as he loves me; because if you DARE to make me choose, I will always chose him first! He is MY SON! Remember that."

For a moment he was about to argue, to say that he was adopted and that he was her lover... But then remembered that maybe she felt as if she created him herself, after all, she did all those things for him as if he was hers.

But Valour have his own creators! Why not bother them with his presence?!

But then again she was the one who was there the most important part of his life, it was normal he felt so attached to her instead of his real creators.

She turned and left as he processed all of that; her absence leaving an empty cold in his quarters and spark. His beloved femme came with a son, a lot of luggage and someone who demanded his bit of time from her. He must accept that if he wants her...

...but it is hard!

How can he compete with her creation? Adoptive or not is hers! And she just stated he can't and will always be second behind Valour.

Valour... What if they had a creation together and Valour was still first?

"It is not fair!" He couldn't help but cry in impotence and lay against the door she just closed, the door she used to leave him behind and alone. "Red... It's not fair!"

"Mama?" Valour mumbled sleepily, the cool night air had roused him.

"Shh, we're just going back to our rooms," she said softly, cuddling him against her body.

"Okay," he yawned before resting his cheek against her shoulder again and falling asleep.

She was disappointed in Angelwings, she understood that he had not had a proper upbringing and an extremely bad role model in the form of his grandsire. But that did not give him the right to start acting possessive with and start wanting for her to always be placing him before everyone else. She had a child, she was not going to push said child away and start abandoning him alone in other rooms so that she could frag Angel, no, that was not going to happen.

This wasn't to say it was the complete end of her relationship to the large shuttle, he just needed to get a few things straight in his head. She would happily give him a chance but if he remained hostile towards Valour, then it would be over.

...

"Sky?"

"Mmm?" Skyfire mumbled sleepily, sitting up in his berth. Beside him in a berth that somehow resembled a bird's nest filled with the majority of his sparklings, all sleeping soundly. His youngest was in his little incubator and Slipstream had her own little berth. Although he had caught her sometimes sneaking into her brothers berth to snuggle.

Glancing quickly down to make sure all his children were sleeping, he squinted sleepily towards the large form in the doorway.

"Who's that?" he asked tiredly.

"It's me," a familiar voice said softly. "May I come in?"

"Angel, what are you doing here?" Skyfire asked just as softly, sitting up properly.

"Can we talk?" his cousin asked rather sheepishly.

"Talk?" Skyfire repeated. "Angel, it's a bit late."

"I know, I just need to get something off my chest," the other shuttle explained pleadingly.

"Alright," Skyfire sighed, giving in. "We'll talk on the balcony."

He had no intention of disturbing his peaceful sparklings or they'd be very grumpy in the morning. Once they were settled outsides on chairs, he said.

"What is this about?"

"It's Red," Angel explained. "She says that if it comes to a choice between me and her son...adoptive son, she'll always chose him."

Skyfire blinked, he wasn't expecting that. Needing to arrange his thoughts, he asked his cousin to tell him what happened and Angelwings did so.

"So you understand the problem?" Angel said.

"Yes," Skyfire said slowly. "Angel, you do know it's not the best idea to get frisky when you have a sparkling between you?"

"We could have gone somewhere else," Angel said with a pout making Skyfire chuckle.

"You could but chances are, little Valour would have woken up and gone in search of you," he stated. "You would not have wanted him walking in on you."

"No," Angel admitted. "But I don't understand why she's putting him first, she's not even his real mother. He has creators who want him, why can't they have him?"

"Because firstly, Red has raised him up till now and secondly, Red is Optimus's sister, so she'd always be a part of his family," Skyfire stated. "Red thinks of him as her son and will not neglect him."

"But what if we have a child?" Angel exclaimed. "Will she still put that Valour first?"

"No," Skyfire said. "She would treat both children equally. But Angel, if you have a child with her, you can't expect to constantly interface with her if your children need attention. You will have to sacrifice the majority of the attention you would get from her and bestow it on them instead."

Angelwings still looked put out so Skyfire said. "Angel, you will never have a relationship with Red if you don't like her son. I know it can be frustrating to be interrupted when you want to be with your lover but this is a fact of life when children are involved."

"It's not fair..." The other answered lowering his wings. "I know is selfish but... I want her all for myself..."

"I know... Tell me about it; my Star and I have ten... Your Red only have one."

Angel's optics widened remembering that. His cousin was in a worst situation than him... And all those ten were his.

"How you manage it? Do you tell them to go away when you want to frag your mate?"

Skyfire almost jumped with the declaration and shook his head in horror.

"No, Angel... Never... And I mean, NEVER, push your sparklings away... They will fly away in time and will look for freedom, some earlier and some later, but eventually they will need to return... Besides, Star and I were separated all this years and only found each other occasionally... Our children feared me for a mistake I made and just recently forgave me," Answered Skyfire.

"I know... But... How you do it?"

"With patience; you have to remember that each creation is a different individual who thinks and feels... And each experience as a sparkling marks them as what they will become in the future and how they will behave on you... That is why I insist you try to get along with Valour, Red comes with him and..." he trailed off.

"And what?"

"And if you disappoint her son, you will disappoint her as well; think about him as if he was yours, and first of all, apologise to Red, she loves that sparkling deeply and he loves her just as strong... Remember what he said the day he saved your life?"

Angelwings' optics widened at that question. He'd completely forgot what the little prince had done for him, because his sire was going to kill him for daring to lay a finger on his precious son and Ratchet because the same and besides daring to take his daughter... And under Decepticon law they were in their right.

"He said that his mother had a big spark, she can love him, her sire, brother and even you; that you should not be punished for trying to gain her love or keep it... That you were selfish, yes, but that Red Alert should not be monopolised because its her right to love whoever she wants."

"Are you trying to tell me that I owe that sparkling my life?"

"Not just your life... But that important message as well... Remember that one day he will be our Emperor."

Silence followed for a moment before Angel said: "I know... But... I still do need Red for myself... How do I make him understand that?"

"You hold it and swallow it, not a word or attitude about it must leave your body or she will notice it... Actually will feel your hostility towards her son. You better befriend him and accept what I told you."

"But..."

"But nothing, it's that or losing Red!"

The other gasped in shock.

"Love is big, love is great, love is patience. If you really love her you will understand that."

Angel grimaced but Skyfire continued.

"Besides, Valour is a big sparkling, almost free by himself... If you ever were blessed with a newborn from her..."

"What? That will be great!" Exclaimed the young doctor.

But Skyfire shook his head. "It is great... But a newborn consumes a lot of time and attentions from their carrier and not so from the sire..." Then he frowned remembering something. "Except Slipstream and my little shuttle... They are strange just as the Councilmech's daughter... They seem to enjoy each other together more... But eventually needs their carrier near."

Angel was petrified. He'd forgotten that. If they created a sparkling said creature will demand HER time and it will be less time with him.

Oh frag! Now he regretted not have used protection with her... IF she was carrying, there was a high possibility after all their sessions.

Even if she'd continued as a prisoner and Skyfall around, she will still be on repose. And he would have been commanded to look after his creation until it was strong and smart enough to be educated by the elder and he would have been kept away from her until the patriarch deemed her worthy of being fragged again to produce another sparkling... All of that in case she produced a shuttle and she survived.

"Uh oh..." He couldn't help but say in realisation.

"What?" Tried Skyfire.

"We haven't used protection! She can be carrying now!"

Skyfire's optics widened.

"That... That will explain why she was so horny lately!" The doctor finished holding his face in horror.

"Perhaps... But.. You have to calm down...ok? You cannot go now running into her room and demand her to be tested, ok? Ask her nicely in the morning...after a good apology!"

Angelwings gulped. Too many emotions ran by his processor and spark now.

The next morning arrived and the young doctor couldn't sleep one dream. However when it was time for Red to awake and start her shift, he found himself sleeping like a rock.

However hours later he woke up with a start and screamed in frustration once checked his chrono and ran towards her room only to not find her there, then to the medbay... To not find her there as well.

Another if his cousins announced him that she went back to Iacon's main hospital to visit her sire with her son. Without wasting a second, the shuttle transformed and flied away towards that place.
...

Iacon's main hospital...
Midday...

"Mama? You feel ok?"

"Uhh... Yes... A little dizzy... Perhaps I consumed something bad..." Answered the femme as she took her son towards the elevator.

But she never reached it...

"Mama!" Valour screamed as the femme suddenly fainted in him. "Help! Mama!" The sparkling pleaded and soon nurses and doctors were taking her into a room to examine her.

Ratchet and Scalpel hurried from their clinic to her location and examined her unconscious form.

"Oh... Primus!" Exclaimed a nurse once the results jumped.

"What?!" Ratchet barked snatching the datapad from her. His optics widened and he roared at the assistants. "This is wrong! Test her again!"

Scalpel took the datapad as well and frowned not really believing what his optics were reading.

The same results jumped up.

"Frag it all to the pit! I'm gonna kill that afthole fragger!" Roared the enraged sire just before the object of his anger appeared.

"Is Red Alert here?" Angelwings asked the shocked nurse who tried to run for her life just as her partners.

"YOU!" Ratchet howled freezing the shuttle right where he was.

"Uh," he said guiltily, the older doctor was looking so furiously at him.

"How dare you do this!" Ratchet roared angrily. "First you take her innocence and now this?"

"I...," he began, not really sure what he'd done to occur the other's wrath before spotting Red Alert being supported by a glaring Scalpel. "What happened, is she alright?"

A moment later, he was forced to duck as a wrench flew at his head. He stared, optics wide as Ratchet growled, fists clenched as he shouted.

"No, she fragging isn't and it's all thanks to you!"

"What's wrong?" Valour questioned, feeling scared at all the yelling. What was wrong with his mama, why had she fainted? "What's happening?"

"Primus," Scalpel murmured as Ratchet continued to fume. "Kid...she's carrying."

"What?" both Valour and Angelwings yelped in utter amazement, they could not believe it. Red Alert was carrying and there could only be one Sire...

"Oh...oh...," Angelwings stammered, it had happened, all those interface sessions had resulted in a sparkling. He barely knew what to think or how to react.

"Well?" Ratchet demanded. "Haven't you got anything to say for yourself?"

"I...er...ah...," was the only response the angry medic received.

"Why you...," he snarled, ready to lunge at him but a groan from right behind him stopped the furious medic in his tracks.

"Mama!" Valour exclaimed as his mother shifted and groaned again.

"Baby," Ratchet gasped, rushing to her side and carefully lifting her head up. "It's okay, you're safe."

"Did I faint?" she questioned, finding that she was lying on the ground. "Sweetness, are you okay?"

"I'm okay mama," he assured her before saying. "Um, mama?"

"Yes darling?" she said, stroking his cheek reassuringly.

"Scalpel says you're going to have a sparkling," he stated, causing her jaw to drop.

"I'm...carrying?" she gasped as Ratchet held her hand.

"I'm afraid so," he said gently. "Don't worry, I'll look after you sweetie."

She frowned as Valour also gave her a hug, it somehow hadn't occurred to her this could happen. Now of course, it was very obvious and yet two qualified medics had missed it.

"I don't believe it," she murmured. "I'm...I'm going to have a sparkling."

"I'll be a big brother," Valour declared and she smiled and kissed him. "Yes you will."

Angelwings felt a stab of jealousy and indignation go through his spark. This was their sparkling, his and Reds, why was this other sparkling interfering. It was enough to jolt him out of his shock and move forward.

"Red?"

"Angel!" she exclaimed, she hadn't known he was here. "I...we...we're going to have a sparkling."

"I know... I suspected it." He answered softly looking at her lovingly... Then his gaze lowered where the mechling was attached to her and his gaze darkened considerably.

For his misfortune, Red Alert noticed the change in attitude.

"Daddy?" She said softly stretching her arms towards her sire. He came fast towards her and offered her his hand. Valour continued attached against her and now his innocent, wide open blue optics were meeting Angelwings' frowning ones.

...even Scalpel noticed now he was practically telling the sparkling 'Get lost'

But before the old director can scold the younger doctor for daring to look like that to the sweetest sparkling in the universe, a loud 'Wham!' like sound startled him... Along with the shuttle's head hitting the wall heavily.

"Mama!" Valour exclaimed as she panted in anger holding her sire's bigger wrench.

The shuttle cried in pain and a horrible dent decorated the side of his helm along with some energon that started running.

"What did I told you yesterday?! I thought you were smart enough to understand what we talked last night!" She barked making her lover flinch.

Valour hugged her tighter.

"Oww... What?" He tried but she frowned darkly at him.

He was about to answer but then remembered the talk with his cousin and decided to remain in silence.

"What is it, darling?" Asked Ratchet while looking at the shuttle hatefully.

"He's jealous of Valour!" She barked pointing him with the wrench causing him to flinch.

Both Scalpel and Ratchet looked at him with angered frowns.

Valour however looked at him innocently and tilted his head to the side not understanding why would his mama's boyfriend will be jealous of him.

"You should be ashamed! You took her knowing she had a son! You selfish bastard!" Scalpel snarled.

"He can't be jealous," Suddenly the innocent sparkling said. "Mama loves us all the same," He said this hugging her tighter and making her chuckle and hug him too.

However the elders understood better. Valour was taking her time and attentions, things this shuttle wanted all for himself... And that excluded her son.

Ratchet scowled. Not even Hook and First Aid were this selfish... They were not selfish at all and liked Valour.

Primus, and his daughter had to be kidnaped, raped and get with spark from the worst bastard that ever crossed her path!

"Why are you still standing there?" he suddenly demanded of the young doctor who stared at him in confusion. "If you can't contribute positively then get the hell out of here before you stress out my Red anymore."

"But...," he tried but all he got were glares. Even Red Alert wasn't looking friendly and he worried she might hit him again. So very regretfully, he withdrew, his spark aching with sadness. His beautiful Red was carrying his sparkling, they should celebrating together. Instead, he was being pushed away all because he wanted Red to care more for him than that sparkling.

He honestly didn't know what he was going to do.

...

"Why is he jealous?" Valour asked curiously as Ratchet and Scalpel helped take his mother to an examination room.

Scalpel and his grandpapa muttered darkly under their breaths as his mother sighed.

"He doesn't like to share," she told him. "He doesn't realise that I need to spend time with all my loves ones, especially you sweetness."

He nodded as she lifted him beside her.

"I'm sorry he's being silly," he told her as Ratchet started to scan her, he was concerned she might be carrying a shuttle sparkling. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, you've done loads already," she said with a smile. "He's the one who needs to get over this, not you or I."

"Okay," he said as she changed the subject.

"So, you'll soon have a new sibling," she said, cupping his cheek. "What do you think about that?"

"There's a lot of sparklings being born," he said seriously making them all laugh.

"Yes there are," she agreed. "That means they'll have plenty of playmates and you get more family. You've now got an aunt and sister and Slipstream has a new brother. What do you think this sparkling will be?"

"I'd like a brother," he mused. "But I don't mind, I'll still be a big brother."

"Yes you will," she cooed, kissing him. She couldn't believe she was carrying a newspark, what was Optimus going to say? He probably wouldn't be that surprised actually since he knew she'd continued interfacing with Angelwings.

Thinking about the shuttle made her pensive. Although she'd already been a single creator to Valour, it would still be nice if this child's Sire could be involved. But unless he changed his attitude, then he would only be able to visit his sparkling, not help her raise it. Perhaps he wasn't mature enough to handle being a sire, certainly if he was jealous of Valour, that didn't speak well for his abilities as a creator. He could not neglect their sparkling just to frag her, that was unacceptable.

"Is everything alright daddy?" she now asked her Sire.

"Seems to be," he said slowly, "But these readings...there's a strong possibility this will not only be a flier but a shuttle."

She could see his worry and raised a hand to offer him reassurance.

"I'll be fine," she said soothingly. "You know I'll take care of myself and this sparkling. I have no intention of anything going wrong."

"I know you will, it's just...," he said helplessly and she stroked his cheek.

"I know," she murmured. "Carrying a shuttle can be dangerous if you're a grounder but I'm not a prisoner like those other femmes, held by a tyrant. I won't put myself under any stress, it's all going to be fine."

He bit his lip but nodded. There was no point in predicting the worst just yet.

...

Angelwings reached the shuttle's estate and landed on a dessert part of the garden.

He felt so alone and sparkbroken.

Why his Red cannot be his alone?

Why hadn't he used protection?

Now there are TWO sparklings around that will demand her time. Well, with his own child there was not much problem but that other mechling... He groaned in frustration laying on his front with his face on the ground and cried his misery.

"Why Primus, why?!"

"Waiii?"

He gasped and lifted up quickly seeing around and jumped when felt a little hand touching him in his leg.

"Pimus...waiii?" The little femme repeated -sort of- what he said.

Next to her, was Skyfire's unnamed son sucking on something as his big, blue optics stared at him questioningly.

He'd heard these two were quite close to each other for their age, but sneaking out together was too much.

"W- what are you doing here?" He tried looking at them but Aurora only reached closer. "Where are your caretakers?"

However he received another answer.

"Waiii cry?" She said.

"What?!" He jumped when she asked him... If he was right: 'why are you crying?'

But what can a sparkling know?

"Shoo, shoo..." He tried to make them go also gesturing with his hand. "Go with your caretakers."

Skyfire's son grunted in annoyance and started babbling gibberish sparkling nonsense.

"Silly... Pozeziv..." Aurora said to his shock.

"Excuse me? What did you call me?!" He suddenly exclaimed.

But she said: "Bad wit Valuuu... Bad, bad, bad!" And Skyfire's son nodded as she repeated herself.

"I am not the bad one!" He couldn't help but bark, but the sparklings hadn't even flinched. "He's the one demanding time from someone who's not even his mother! He's the one interrupting us! Red should be mine! Mine, not his!"

"Hmm!" Grunted the little shuttle shaking his head and offlining his optics.

"Stupid," Aurora said also, shaking her head.

"But... I have more rights! I'm her lover! And he has his own creators! Let him go and bother them!"

"Naaah...!" She exclaimed. "You stupid! Valuuu good, Valuuu firsst with Red, you, two," She finished lifting two little fingers at the end.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing, even this sparkling dared to tell him he will always be 'number two'?!

"I want to be her first!" He roared but both sparklings shook their heads no.

"You mean, you took Red, you hurt Valuuu, hurt Reds sire, hurt everyone, how dare ya to ask more?!"

He was now left without words at her words.

And by the way, isn't she too young to speak like this?

But before he can ask her how was it possible...

"There you are! Sweet Primus! I don't know who would have killed me more if you got lost, Starscream or Alpha Trion," Skyfire said hurrying towards them and lifted them up before noticing his distressed cousin. "Angel? What...what happened to you?"

He couldn't believe the state of his cousin, his whole face was tear streaked and he looked utterly miserable. Gently stroking his son's head before giving Aurora a little pat also, he asked.

"Angel, I hate to say this but you look awful."

"I feel awful," his cousin mumbled miserably. "Sky...Red...she's...carrying."

"Carrying?" Skyfire exclaimed. "I...wow, congratulations. Aren't you pleased?"

"Y-yes, of course," Angelwings said quickly. "But..."

"But?" Skyfire prompted as it occurred to him that Angelwings should be with Red Alert right now.

"But she doesn't want me anywhere near her," he cried unhappily. "Look what she did!"

He pointed to the nasty dent on his head, he hadn't really tended to it yet. Skyfire winced before saying gently.

"Angel, why did she do that? What did you say?"

"I didn't say anything," he cried honestly but Skyfire suspected it wasn't that simple.

"Angel," he began. "Was Valour with her when you saw her?"

The other Shuttle didn't answer and Skyfire had his answer.

"Oh Angel," he sighed as Aurora said. "Bad witt Valuu."

"I'm not, I never said or did anything to him," Angelwings said indignantly. "I swear Sky."

"You might not have," Skyfire said patiently while feeling rather frustrated. "But you are quite expressive Angel, people can pick up what you're feeling. Angel, tell me honestly, how do you feel about Valour now that you know Red is expecting your Sparkling."

"He shouldn't take up so much of her time," Angelwings burst out. "He has creators, this is our sparkling and it should just be the three of us. Why can't he stay more with the Emperor and Consort?"

The sparklings appeared to be shaking their heads and Skyfire completely agreed with them. Angelwings still didn't understand.

"We've already talked about this," he told him. "Angel, you can't think of Valour as a nuisance interfering with your relationship with Red Alert. If you can't think of him as your adoptive son, then at least think of him as a friend, an adoptive big brother for your child."

"But...," Angelwings began but Skyfire was shaking his head.

"There are not buts," he said sternly. "Red Alert loves Valour more than anything in this world, she will never accept a Mech who does not at least like her son. If you can't get your act together, then another will happily take your place. And I know at least two who would fit the bill."

"I won't let them," Angelwings exclaimed. "She is mine!"

"She's not yours!" Now Skyfire lost it and barked at his stupid cousin who flinched.

"Hm!" The little shuttle said nodding and Aurora added: "Yah!"

"She's free to choose whoever she wants! You kidnapped her and raped her, drugged her and hid her from her family! You idiot!"

With the passing seconds Skyfire's frustration at his cousin's thick helm was rising.

"And she still give you one chance... And now you're throwing it all down to the trash with your stupid, possessive attitude towards HER son!"

Angelwings scowled. He really started hating what he did... He shouldn't have told them what his family is been up to, that way Red would have continued being all for himself... Even if she was not free.

Skyfire frowned reading his thoughts.

"How dare you to think that?!" He suddenly barked making the other jump.

"What?!"

"You were thinking... You were believing it was a good idea to keep her prisoner, like the others?!"

The other's optics widened. How did his cousin...?

"You're too expressive, Angel... I can clearly see what is in your processor; and you know what? Red Alert deserves better!" Skyfire finished and the sparklings nodded once quickly and with decision.

When turning away with the sparklings he muttered: "Idiot!" to his cousin before disappearing.

The hurt doctor was left alone and in silence feeling more alone than ever and that no one understood him.

"I don't believe this!" Skyfire said while walking away with his cargo. "HE, one of the smartest in our family acting like this?!"

The sparklings looked at each other then at him.

"If I was Red Alert I wouldn't even have given him one chance and would have escaped as soon as I was free... Not return to his berth to frag him and give him more wrong ideas!"

He sighed.

"But then again, I bet she was already carrying and felt needy... And he was the only available spike she knew of... Great! Angel, you're an idiot!" He concluded.

"Him alone," Suddenly Aurora said. "No mom, no dad, no love... No...teaching to love."

He frowned looking down at the little lady and how she talked... Besides... Isn't she too young to speak?

"Hmm!" Supported her his son with a nod.

He decided to try something; " So... You're saying no one ever taught Angel how to love and what truly love is? He thinks love is... About possession..."

His optics widened remembering his lonely cousin and how he only left his rooms to be presented with Skyfall and then to the academy.

No one but Skyfall was allowed in his quarters and he was always possessive of his things... And anyone who dared to touch them without permission went through something bad.

He couldn't do that with Valour since he was the prince heir of the empire and Red Alert was always protecting him with swords and shields.

He was worried. It will only be a matter of time before Red Alert made up her mind and left him, with or without sparkling... And his cousin will go crazy or maybe enter into a deep depression. He didn't know which one was worst.

"He's learned bad lessons," he murmured to himself. He at least had always had his creators, even though his poor mother had been a prisoner for so long and he'd grown distance from his Sire because of it. But still, he had been able to talk to them, hug them and generally be with them while growing up, which was a lot more than Angelwings had.

"Lady Aurora, son," he said to the two children. "I'm going to take you to play with the other sparklings alright? I need to contact Red Alert about this."

"Kay," Aurora said, snuggling close to her friend.

He smiled and lifted them up, giving both a kiss.

"Maybe your niece Honour will be there," he told Aurora who giggled.

He soon found the little hoard of sparklings and carefully placed the ones he'd been carrying down, Wasp's three femmes where there to keep an optic on them all. Giving them a respectful salute, he went off to the nearest comm station. Once there, he contacted Iacon hospital and asked to be put in touch with Red Alert at her earliest convenience. He was happy to wait, unlike his grandsire, he would not demand her presence.

He sat down beside the console and read a data pad while he wait but he didn't have to wait too long before he received a reply.

"Skyfire," Red Alert said warmly. "How are you, is everything alright?"

"It is," he assured her. "I've just heard the news, congratulations."

"Thank you," she said before her face clouded. "Have you seen Angel?"

"I have," he confirmed. "And I called him an idiot."

"Oh?" she said, she knew they were fairly close.

"He's acting ridiculous," he told her. "I warned him that he needed to accept the fact that you have a son and you're not going to neglect Valour for him but he obviously didn't listen. You did him an enormous favour giving him a second chance, I would not have done so."

"I do not want to shut him out," she admitted. "But I cannot tolerate his attitude."

"I completely agree," he said. "But I will say it's not entirely his fault. He grew up without creators with our grandsire in control, he's never properly experienced what a family should be like. He needs to learn what it's like."

He paused before saying. "I am not suggesting that you must do this but if you are tempted to give him yet another chance, I think this will be required."

She was silent for a moment before nodding. "I think you are right, I had considered working on his spark a bit more but perhaps he needs something different."

"I'm not expert but I agree," Skyfire stated, wondering if he should mention how Angel almost wished Red was still his prisoner. But then he decided not to, it would surely destroy any chance the two of they might have. But next time he and his cousin spoke, he would make it absolutely clear how bad this line of thought was. Particularly if Red was carrying a grounder.

"But I will support any decision you take," he assured her. "And I will warmly welcome your child into our family, if you are okay with that."

"I am," she said with a smile. "I think it may be a shuttle."

"Really?" he said, optics wide with surprise. "Primus, if that's true..."

She smiled, she knew how important that was even if Skyfire didn't believe in killing non shuttle sparklings.

"I will visit your mother and the other femmes soon," she promised. "I just want to sort out some things here before I return, I can still carry out my duties until this sparkling gets a bit bigger."

"My mother and the others will look after you," he said with a smile. "I think my son will enjoy having another shuttle type to play with, he's got plenty of seekers."

She chuckled at this little joke, he loved all his children equally.

"He does that," she agreed. "I need to go now, thank you for contacting me. I will think about what you've said."

He bowed respectfully as she signed off.

The shuttle then turned around and sighed. "I just hope that this thing solves soon."
...

That night...

"Oh sweet Primus!" A heavily carrying femme gasped. "A shuttle in your first try?!"

Red Alert nodded and forced a smile for the carrying one as she examined her and prepared her to remove her sparkling from her, after all she was carrying a shuttle too; however unlike Red this was her third sparkling...

...the others, grounders were killed by Skyfall.

"I can see them all playing together!" She said excitedly almost bouncing on the berth. She was already given the painkiller and now was acting like this...so excited. "Are you excited to see this place oozing with sparklings, love?" She said to her mate, a light blue and purple shuttle who just nodded...

...he was the one nervous as if it was him the one giving birth and his hands were cold and he was shaking.

"Vent," Red Alert commanded and the frightened mech obeyed... However the order was for the birthing femme.

Hours later the couple met their son, a little shuttle and his mother was left in medbay to observe her since the birthing of said shuttle weakened her considerably.

Red Alert then cleaned herself up in her quarters and decided to go and see a certain shuttle in his quarters...

..but...

"Mama?"

"Sweetspark, I need to speak with Angel... Its important, would you like me to bring Bee here since Slipstream is busy?"

Valour shook his head. "Can I go too?"

"No, this will be an adult's talk."

"Oh...ok..." He said lowering his now bigger wing nubs that looked more like wings now.

She kissed him in the forehead. "He needs to understand some things."

"I know," He replied and kissed his mother goodbye as she left to speak with her boyfriend.

He was really worried and hoped his mama can convince him that being jealous is a bad thing. Thinking about this he decided to go and see his friend anyways... And he continued being popular among the femmes here and was quite busy, so he went for Slipstream only to find her alone in her quarters on her berth.

He went onto it and she reacted surprised to find him here. "Valour?" She tried but he only snuggled on her lap and hugged her middle.

She smiled kindly at him and caressed his head as he offlined his optics.

*speaking in an ancient language* 'He was always so kind and gentle, luckily he was not discovered like us.'

Slipstream looked at her little shuttle brother as this one crawled onto her berth. She nodded. 'He can live this life fully, but he still keeps his wisdom in his spark, like us.'

The mechling nodded. 'I just wish we wouldn't have been awakened so fast and focus in the now, like him.'

'Eventually Primus will awake him, like he did to me... Like he never allowed your mate to sleep,' Slipstream said.

The shuttle mechling seemed to giggle. 'She's too stubborn to sleep anyways.'

Slipstream smiled and kissed Valour's head. Her boyfriend now slept peacefully.

They just wanted to live in peace for once.
...

Meanwhile...

"What?!" Angelwings shout to a cross armed Red Alert.

"Yes," Was the curt answer.

"But...but..."

"But nothing! If you really love me and want a chance with me, one last chance, you will accept my son; and what better way to do it than spending a whole week looking after him and his friends?"

"But..." The mech tried again.

"What?!" She barked this time.

"But... Sparklings are... They are..." He tried.

"Innocent! Lovely! Adorable! Harmless!" The femme pointed out and with each word the mech's wings twitched. "You will spend some quality time with my son and his friends or you can forget about me and rising our creation! I will NOT allow such behaviour towards anyone near my child!"

Angel's wings were so low now that they hung like a couple of fabrics from his back.

He never really liked sparklings and even less thought what to do when he produced one, just being happy about the fact that he helped create life... Sparklings were impulsive and disobedient; it takes them years to mature and look after themselves...

His optics finally widened in realisation and his wings heightened up again.

He was not ready to become a creator!

"Oh Primus what am I doing?!" He finally took hold of his head and sat on his berth.

Red Alert looked at him with a lifted optic ridge.

"I'm an idiot... Primus... Such an idiot... I... Just don't deserve you, Red... I do love you but... I'm... I'm not worthy of anything!" He said miserably.

"Then what are you waiting for?!" Suddenly the femme snapped. "Mech up! You're a sire now!"

He groaned. When he mated with her to produce a sparkling he wasn't really thinking about looking after the creature, just having Red Alert for himself and pleasing his grandsire... But now...?

Now he was expected to be an equal co-creator, to bring up a child who would not be locked away in this estate. He'd never anticipated this and he'd certainly never prepared for it. What else could he do but fail?

Seeing his miserable expression, Red Alert softened a trifle and said gently.

"Angel, you have a chance to learn how to be a Sire before your child is born. You should be grabbing this opportunity to see how to interact with Sparklings and learn what they need from a creator. If you want to be able to spend time with me, that means you'll have to do your fair share of parenting otherwise I will always be too busy or tired to be with you. Is that what you want?"

"No!" he exclaimed in horror, that was the last thing he wanted.

"Well then," she said briskly. "Go out there and see how you handle it. At least most of them are at a semi-independent age, if something is wrong, you can ask them what the problem is. I had to learn with a newspark and trust me, it takes time and patience to learn to read all the signals. You will first spend time with Valour and the more grown up ones, then you can move on to the newer Sparklings. That should help you prepare."

There was nothing he could say to protest, nothing that wouldn't send her storming from the room. So instead he said tentatively. "If I can manage...?"

"If you make a real effort," she said, putting stress on the word. "Then we can spend some time together."

As he looked very hopefully, she added. "I'm not expecting you to be perfect or to make no mistakes but I do want you to be putting in a lot to this. You have to allow yourself a chance to like my son and sparklings in general otherwise your child will have a very cold Sire."

"I don't want that," he mumbled and she smiled.

"I know," she assured him. "You know, Skyfire had trouble with his children as well, he didn't know how to handle them. But he always loved them and wanted to be with them. Keep that in mind."

"I will," he said. "I...I promise I'll do my best."

She nodded before saying. "You can start tomorrow, I'll draw up a basic schedule for you about meal and bed times, things like that. You can exercise some flexibility, just make sure they have everything they need. Why don't you try and think up some activities you can all do together?"

He nodded dumbly and she smiled again. He drank it in, she was at her most beautiful when she smiled so warmly at him. It made him ache inside, he wished he could just take her in his arms and ravish her, here and now. But she was already leaving and he knew that it wouldn't be smart to chase after her. He would simply have to content himself with the act that if he did a good enough job, she would be his for at least a whole night and he would happily make the most of it.

...

"Would you like some tea?" Valour asked, offering a tray filled with cups, a steaming pot of tea and a little plate with delicate biscuits. He'd quite enjoyed his duties at Kaon Palace and wanted to continue some of them here.

"Thank you," the femme he'd offered it to giggled, she found the little Prince just so adorable.

As he was doing this Slipstream arrived carrying a sleeping femmling.

"Honour!" Valour exclaimed and ran towards them. The little femme only snuggled better in the seekerlet's arms.

"She looks tired, it seems she had quite an adventure yesterday," Said Slipstream passing her to Valour who now cuddled with his little sister.

The little princess slept peacefully ignoring the noises from around. Near them Red Alert and Optimus were talking, obviously getting on date.

However Megatron was nowhere near...

...he was with Starscream.

"And for frag's sake!" The Emperor roared with laughs near his comatose friend. "They got drunk! And fragged! Just imagine what they will do once find out that their adored Red is carrying for her kidnapper!"

For the ruler, the seeker seemed immovable, however his face twitched.

"They fragged so hard that they couldn't even get up the next day and when they awaked they couldn't move!"

Megatron continued laughing and was oblivious of the seeker now taking air deeply and his hands twitching... His face, once quiet and peaceful now started twisting in a smirk.

"And after one day you should have seen Hook stumbling and sitting on a donut like pillow!"

This time Starscream started chuckling silently.

"Those two have been avoiding each other and their gazes for... ever since! First Aid even begged me AND the Magnus to bring him back to Iacon along with his studying subjects!"

The seeker lolled his head towards the source of the sound and continued laughing silently as much as his body allowed him.

"But he DID frag Hook hard!" Continued Megatron before suddenly stop when noticed that his friend was more than just listening.

"So..." He whispered hoarsely without onlining his optics. "Hook's valve still works? And here I thought only Alpha Trion will be blessed with that miracle...heh!"

Megatron remained in silence for a moment even after his friend onlined his optics and saw his flat friend.

He smirked...

"So... I've heard you gave birthed femmling... Naturally... And that now everyone here saw you exspell her from your valve.. I bet that was a show to remember."

Megatron flushed but recovered fast. "Well...yeah... I don't know how you could do it ten times!"

Starscream nodded but Megatron continued. "It was the strangest thing I've ever felt! It was like something was coming and couldn't push it back!"

"But the result is worthy," Added the seeker.

"It is," Megatron agreed. "She's a beautiful little princess, her name's Honour."

"A good name," Starscream said with a careful nod. "What does Valour think of his little sister?"

"He loves her," Megatron said with a wide smile before realising Starscream had missed a lot. "Starscream, you would not believe what's been happening here."

"I can imagine," his friend said with a smile before asking. "How is my newspark?"

"Very well, I'll call Skyfire so he can bring him and the others," the grey Mech assured him, leaning down to give his friend a peck on the cheek.

"Good to have you back," he said warmly. "It's not been the same without you, especially with that fool Hook."

Starscream chuckled before asking. "Did I hear you correctly...Red Alert is carrying?"

"She is," Megatron said with a nod. "This cousin of Skyfire's, Angelwings, desired and kidnapped her. He appears to have mated with her as often as possible but she managed to bring him under her control and got him to reveal what's been happening in his family."

He quickly explained again what Skyfall had been doing, causing Starscream to grimace.

"I knew he was a racist fragger who'd abused Skyfire," he said grimly. "But I never knew about that."

"Alpha Trion knew something of it," Megatron mused. "But he'd forgotten up till now. I haven't executed that slagger Skyfall yet but I plan to soon. He'd just murdered Skyfire's sibling before we caught him."

"Oh Sky," Starscream said sorrowfully, his spark feeling heavy. His poor lover would have been devastated at that even if it had happened before.

Megatron patted his shoulder sympathetically, it was a sad thing.

"How are the femmes doing?" Starscream questioned, pulling himself together.

"A hundred times better," he was assured. "They are free now, in body and mind. Your children, Valour and Bumblebee have been cheering them up and even Wasp's mates and their offspring are there."

"Really?" the Seeker mused with interest. "There really has been a lot happening, it's unbelievable."

"Tell me about it," Megatron said ruefully. "Never mind, you need to see you little brood, Skyfire won't name your newest without you awake."

"So sentimental," Starscream said fondly as Megatron ordered the nurse to contact Skyfire.

It wasn't long until the large shuttle with several sparklings attached to him came hurrying in, he was cradling the little shuttle sparkling safely in his arms. Starscream opened his arms and all his sparklings baring one flew into his arms, chirping and hugging tightly.

"You're awake," Skyfire gasped in relief. "Primus, I've been so worried about you..."

"You know no one can get rid of me, Sky," Starscream stated between kissing his numerous children. "Now my dears, have you all been good?"

"Yes," they all chorused as Slipstream kissed his cheek.

"We missed you," she said softly, snuggling into his armour along with all the others.

"I missed you too," he said gently, stroking her head before looking up at the sparkling staring at him with bright blue optics.

"Hello sweetness," he greeted, being able to properly look at his son. "Have you missed me too?"

The sparkling chirped as though in affirmative. Skyfire carefully leaned down and handed him the little shuttle. Starscream cradled him close, admiring how beautiful he was.

"You'll grow up to be big and strong like your Sire," he praised as the sparkling continued to blink up at him. "But I hear we need a name."

"I couldn't name him without you Star," Skyfire said apologetically.

"Thank you," he said gratefully before looking at his son. "Now, what can we call you?"

The sparkling of course, didn't have an answer so Starscream mused it over.

"What about...Solar?"

"Solar," Repeated Slipstream.

Her brothers did the same... But for everyone's surprise...

"Soar!" A small little voice exclaimed.

They all looked around only to see little Aurora there with Optimus and a still sleeping Honour. Aurora was eager to meet with her friend in his carrier's arms so Optimus guided her towards them and Starscream looked at her attitude towards his newspark.

And to everyone's shock, little Solar licked her cheek before she giggled and responded with another lick.

Starscream was petrified and could only stare as his newborn...chose a mate?! ...so early?!

Then all his sons and daughter cheered and clapped as the Air Commander and Megatron looked at each other in shock as the newsparks snuggled and cuddled. The noise woke up Honour who looked around confused for a moment before taking a deep vent and went to sleep again in her sire's comfortable arms.

Oddly enough the only missing one there was Valour...

...who was out there in the gardens with Angelwings serving him tea and then sitting back on his ornamented chair facing the big shuttle...

...who looked particularly nervous around him.

"So... You're a sparkling..." Tried the doctor after sipping a little from the beautiful porcelain cup.

"Uh huh..." Nodded Valour looking up at him. "And... You're a mech..."

"Yes..."

Awkward seconds passed for the shuttle as his optics moved around nervously, so he gulped more tea.

"You like to play sometimes?" Tried Valour after a moment.

Angelwings just shook his head. He never really played and was practically formed and educated since he was a newspark.

"You don't play?!" Shocked, Valour said. "I can see now why you were always so unhappy and wanted my mama."

The mech in front of him coughed but Valour continued nonetheless. "You want to play to make love to her, right?"

The sparkling's sudden response only worsened his coughing and now, besides his deep flushing and rattling wings.

"I once caught sire and carrier playing to it... But they stopped... Carrier said is private; I think is because so no one will know the strategy you use to win."

Angelwings' blue optics widened at the sparkling's deduction of what 'making love' was.

"By the way, did mama dominate you last night and tell you to speak with me, right?"

The mech forgot to vent for an eternity as he looked at his small counterpart in disbelief. Honestly he didn't know what to say to him or even less how to speak with him.

Valour tilted his head to the side looking at him with those infinite innocent blue optics waiting for an answer.

"Well... I... Umm... Uhhh..." He tried but Valour only smiled at him.

But suddenly a thought occurred to him and he said: "Y-yes... She dominated me... And... I want to play 'make love' with her and her only."

Valour's face brightened.

"It's... It's a private adult's game... And... And if your mother ever plays with me, we... We will like to remain uninterrupted," He gulped in the end feeling himself sweat. "C- can you do that?"

Valour nodded eagerly but then thought about it. "But what if I want to be with my mama too?"

"Wait for your turn...as I wait for your turn to be over with her," Was the fast answer making the sparkling nod. It seemed fair.

"Besides... I'm sure you will play make love with my niece Slipstream... She's your femmefriend, right? Betrothed to you?"

Valour gasped and his optics widened. He hadn't considered that.

Sitting now more comfortable, Angelwings continued: "Making love is an exclusive game between lovers... No one else can participate and both players cannot play with anyone else."

"How'd you play?" Now asked Valour.

"Well, its pretty simple, first of all you need to have your interface system matured and activated; that will happen when you grow older, you're a mech and Slipstream is a femme, once you're old enough her valve will lubricate for you to thrust your hard spike in her. Now, there comes the hard part since a valve is very delicate and you win the game if your partner enjoys herself so much that she asks for more until the charge is so big it overloads. Your spike will swell too and when you overload it will shot inside your partner your transfluid. That's how is won that game, when you both enjoyed it too much that want to play it again and again until you cannot do it anymore."

The young prince was now looking between his legs and poked at his panel right where his little spike was hidden. He didn't know it will be inside Slipstream one day!

"Will it hurt her?" He tried and the mech thought for a moment.

"If you're not careful and she tells you to stop, then you lose."

The sparkling gasped and closed back his legs worrying for a moment since he didn't wanted to hurt his friend.

Silence followed and now the tension was gone, Angelwings felt more at ease with this mechling. Perhaps he was not so bad after all, just needed some instructions.

"How'd you start a game?" Now asked Valour and Angel sipped another more from his tea before answering.

"You kiss and touch her where she likes to be touched... Or she does it to you, then you or her can suggest to go to another 'better' place to play. If your partner says 'no' then don't insist. You will lose if you try."

Valour considered this touching his chin, then said: "Seems like a complicated game, too much rules."

"But the result is worthy," The other added. "There's nothing better than your lover overloading hard around your spike and you overloading into your partner, filling her up with your fluid."

Valour blinked at that.

"That's what you and mama do?" he questioned and Angelwings nodded.

"It's what all good lovers do," he said seriously.

"Is that what my carrier and Sire do?" Valour asked, remembering when he'd caught them playing before.

"Yes," Angelwings agreed. "That's how they produced your little sister, except in that case, the Consort must have played the 'dominant' part."

"That's not bad, is it?" Valour said anxiously.

"No, Mech couples sometimes like to play a bit more," Angelwings assured him. "Mostly, your Sire would be using his spike but it's alright for the Consort to use his sometimes too."

"Okay," Valour said in relief. "I can't do it now, can I?"

"No, it's only for grownups, you're too young," the large Shuttle told him. Even Skyfall had been forced to wait until his Mechs were physically old enough to take a femme otherwise he'd have made them start even earlier than they were usually forced to. "You must wait but your body will let you know when you are ready. For instance, does your panel feel hot when you look at her?"

"No...," Valour said slowly, trying to think if it ever did but he honestly couldn't remember that happening.

"It won't until you're ready," Angelwings said firmly. "Your interface isn't matured yet but once it does, you will start desiring bots. Even if you only love Slipstream, you might still feel attracted to others. Some only like Femmes, some only like Mechs and there are those who like both. You'll discover for yourself what you like when you are older."

"Whoa," Valour said in amazement, this was making his head spin. He couldn't hardly imagine what it would be like playing with Slipstream when they were older.

"You could always ask your creators about it," Angelwings advised. "They know what it's like to be a Mech who has matured, they can tell you the signs to watch out for,"

"Okay," Valour said with a nod, that made sense.

"It really is wonderful," Angelwings sighed dreamily.

"That's why you want to please mama?" Valour said shrewdly. "So you can play."

"Yes, that's right," he confirmed.

"I can help you if you want," Valour offered and the shuttle stared at him.

"What?" he said in surprise.

"I'll help you be a better Sire," the little Sparkling stated. "So that you can be there for the new sparkling. I think mama really wants you to be with her."

"She does?" Angelwings said, he wasn't sure if Red Alert had said anything to her adoptive son.

"Yeah," he said. "She likes those veils and jewels you gave her. She's even got a special place to keep them, I never saw her wear stuff like that before."

Angelwings flushed and mumbled. "I wanted her to know how much I loved her, she looks beautiful in them."

"She does," Valour said. "But she always looked beautiful."

"That is true," Angelwings agreed, ever since he first met her, he'd thought that. He then realised he'd been able to talk to Valour for several minutes, something he wouldn't have thought possible.

"Do you want to play a sparkling game?" Valour now asked.

"Um, what kind of game?" Angelwings asked nervously.

"We could play explorers?" suggested Valour.

"Sure," The shuttle said and they got up from their sits and walked towards the garden... To play.

...

Later that day Valour returned near his friends after Angelwings had to leave to work. It was fun to play with him and he was sure he will make a good sire for his little sibling.

"You look happy." Slipstream said as she looked how Moonracer was trying to catch Skywarp around the garden.

"I am," He said reaching for her and kissed her cheek.

"Oh... What was that for?" She said but he only hugged her.

Near them was Starscream under a gazebo's roof, lying on a comfy couch with both Solar and Aurora on his lap. They were all looking at Valour and Slipstream.

Starscream smiled. Then a memory reached him...

...he heard Aurora was an ancient spark... And before she was born, Slipstream said that her mate was next... Next to come... Next to be born... Solar!

His optics widened watching the litte duo cuddle together. His son was also an ancient spark, he will be intelligent like his sister...

'Primus! Can Slipstream be...?' He thought looking back at his eldest with her fiancée who was telling her something that made her look between her legs...

...and touch Valour's-!

"Gah!" He screamed startling the two newborns on his lap and making them cry. "Shhh... Shhh... Its ok...its ok...don't cry..." He tried to calm the little ones as he called his daughter and future son in law to come.

"Yes daddy?" The seekerlet asked innocently.

"Who told you to touch your boyfriend there?!" He barked making her and Valour blink.

"I... I did, sir..." Valour tried flinching when Starscream shot him a nasty glare.

"And who said you can ask her to touch you there?!"

"I... I just asked her since Angel told me that one day we will touch each other and will make love..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait! What?!" The older seeker tried to understand what was happening. "Someone told you to touch her and for her to touch you?!"

"Well... He said that we will do it eventually and I just wanted to see what was in there..." By now Valour was crying making Starscream facepalm himself. "Sorry..." Cried the mechling and his femmefriend hugged him.

Calming himself a little, Starscream asked the sobbing sparkling. "Who told you about this?"

"Mama's boyfriend... Angel," Another sob. "He said its fun... I just wanted to see... Even if he said we should wait until my panel heats up and Slipstream gets wet."

Starscream almost choked and roared out loud in anger.

Just who in the universe speaks to curious sparklings about interfacing?!

He needed to call Megatron, Optimus, Ratchet and Red Alert... This was an emergency!

The other femmes came to him and tried to calm his hysteria to no use. He forbid Valour or Slipstream to touch whatever lays between their legs under punishment of losing their little hands!

The sparklings obeyed in fear. Maybe it was not a good idea, as Angel said, to touch whatever was hidden there... Especially if losing a member was in stake.

...

"What?!" Exclaimed in unison Megatron, Optimus, Ratchet, Red Alert and Skyfire once the sedated seeker told them what their sparklings were doing.

"Yes! You heard me!" The seeker reiterated.

Red Alert simply could not believe it. She asked Angel to spend some quality time with her son, not to instruct him into... Into... Touching his friends!

And here she thought he was intelligent.

"What we're gonna do now?!" Optimus asked mildly desperate and also trying to calm his now irate mate.

"I know what I'm going to do," both Ratchet and Megatron declared at the same time, giving each other surprised looks which quickly turned into approval.

"Megatron, you can't just beat him up without first asking for an explanation," Optimus tried, hanging onto his mate's arm in case he stormed.

"Oh, I'll ask all right," growled Megatron. "Then I will rip his limbs off one by one."

"And I'll help," Ratchet added with his own growl.

"I can't believe he would do that," Skyfire was muttering. "I know he's not much good with sparklings but surely anyone with common sense knows not to speak of such things to sparklings?"

"We already know he possesses no common sense at all," Ratchet scoffed as Red Alert said. "He must have made a mistake, perhaps he didn't appreciate that Valour is too young to hear about things like that."

"Oh but I haven't even told you the best part," Starscream said grimly and as they all looked at him, he said.

"Angel told Valour that's it's important for him to remain uninterrupted when he plays with his mom!"

"WHAT!?" Megatron and Ratchet roared again together.

"Not that again," Red Alert groaned, Angelwings was still trying to make sure he could interface with her in peace. Was he deliberately trying to make sure Valour stayed away or was he really that foolish?

"Look, I'm not happy about it anymore than you," Optimus said, speaking to everyone. "But I do think we need to speak with Angelwings, find out why he told Valour about interfacing and make it clear he's too young to know about it."

"Agreed," Skyfire said. "I think it must have been a mistake, he wouldn't be deliberately trying to get sparklings to touch each other."

Red Alert nodded, he did not seem that type. Before she'd told him how things stood, he'd appeared decidedly uninterested in Sparklings beyond possibly siring one with her.

"Where is he now?" Ratchet demanded.

"He must be working by now," Skyfire began but Megatron interrupted.

"Then order he to come right now,"

He was more than willing to throw his authority as Emperor around at this moment. No one told his innocent little son about love making. Skyfire looked at him but didn't protest, he simply went to obey. He really hoped for his cousin's sake that he had a very good explanation.

"I'd better ask him," Optimus said firmly. "Megatron, will you give him a chance to answer?"

His mate grumbled but when Optimus gave him a stern look, muttered. "Yes, I will."

"Good," Optimus said and he too hoped that Angelwings could explain himself.

...

"Skyfire?" Angelwings said when he arrived. "Is something the matter?"

"Please, Angel, follow me," His cousin stated and they walked towards a room in which was expecting him... Practically everyone.

"What's going on?" He tried since the Emperor and Ratchet seemed particularly pissed off.

"Angelwings?" Tried the Consort. "Can we talk about... What you said to our son this morning?"

The shuttle doctor tilted his head to the side and answered: "Yeah, what about it?"

That attitude only fuelled Megatron's and Ratchet's anger...and he felt it.

"What?!" He tried flinching back.

"Did you speak to Valour about interfacing?" Tried Optimus the most politely he could.

"Yes, I did. Why?"

Now Ratchet and Megatron seemed ready to rip him off as Red Alert face palmed.

"Because today my son told his fiancée to touch his spike!" Roared Megatron. "And that it was fun!"

Angel's optics widened and he shook his head. "N- no! I hadn't told him to try it! I told him to wait until he grows old!"

"You told a little, curious sparkling that it was FUN! Are you an idiot or what?!" Ratchet now barked.

"But it IS fun!" The shuttle doctor defended himself.

Now everyone facepalmed themselves. This one seemed to be a real idiot concerning to sparklings.

"Angel... No matter how 'fun' it is, you cannot speak about it to sparklings, period!" Now Red Alert tried making the mech in question tilt his head to the other side.

"Why not? He will know one day."

Skyfire covered his face in shame. How can his cousin be so thick helmed?!

"ONE DAY, not NOW when he's still too young!" Red seemed to lose her patience now.

"But... He needs to know what we're doing behind the doors to not interrupt us again!"

A thick and tense silence followed after his declaration; everyone was petrified at this mech's deductions.

"You idiot!" Suddenly Ratchet couldn't help it anymore and jumped the shuttle along with Megatron. Both beat the slag out of the giant flier who couldn't defend himself against these two powerful warriors.

"You…don't…speak…to…sparklings...about…interfacing!" Ratchet said beating the pit out of his face as Megatron also did the same but to his abdomen.

It seems Angelwings will spend some time into the medbay.

"I'm sorry," he cried helplessly as pain flared all over his body. "I didn't mean to, I was just trying to talk with him."

"Interfacing is not an appropriate topic for sparklings," Optimus said sternly but he still grabbed his mate's fist before he could punch again. "Try to remember that next time."

"I will," the shuttle groaned as Red Alert also moved forward to stop her Sire from continuing to hurt Angelwings.

"I only hope my sons do not find out about this," Starscream said grimly. "I'm going to have to talk to Slipstream about matters I had not intended to for a long time."

"And I will have to talk to Valour," Megatron added in frustration. "My poor Mechling must be so confused right now."

Optimus grimaced, he really wasn't happy about this either. He'd wanted to preserve his son's innocence for as long as possible and now he wasn't sure if they could do that. Only time would tell whether this would be so.

...

"I'm sorry daddy," Valour gasped as he ran into his carrier's arms. "I didn't mean to be bad."

"It's okay, you weren't bad," Optimus soothed, stroking his crying son's back. "It's just something for grownups only."

"That's right," Megatron said, touching his son's back. "That Shuttle should not have spoken of such things to you, you are too young."

"He said I would do it with Slipstream one day," Valour sniffed loudly.

Megatron growled but said. "He is a foolish Mech who let his mouth run away with him, pay no mind to what he said."

"But won't I do that?" his son questioned and Optimus said. "You will do many wonderful things when you are older with Slipstream son but that is for the future. Right now, you're just a sparkling and should only be playing normal sparklings games with her."

"Okay," Valour said, rubbing at his optics. "Only Sire gets to stick his spike in you, right?"

Optimus choked and Megatron felt like he might have a spark attack.

...

"Daughter," Skyfire said gently, Starscream was feeling rather overwrought after what had happened.

"Yes Sire?" she said, sitting on her berth, looking at the floor.

"May I talk to you about what happened earlier?" he said softly and she just nodded.

"Our cousin Angelwings was talking to Valour earlier," he explained, sitting beside her. "He didn't seem to realise that he was telling Valour things that sparklings shouldn't know."

"Bout interfacing," she mumbled.

"Yes, about that," he agreed. "I know the two of you didn't mean to do anything wrong but I hope you understand that you mustn't touch each other like that until you're older. Until you're ready."

"Carrier said if we did, we'd lose our hands," she stated and he blinked, Starscream really must have been shocked to speak like that.

"Ah, maybe not quite that," he said slowly. "But at your age, it wouldn't feel good and you might hurt yourself. Your body is not ready for it, nor is your mind. When the time nears, your carrier and I will let you know but I think you will feel it yourself just like Valour will. I know Starscream probably scared you, he was just worried. He wants you to be able to enjoy yourselves when you're older."

"Valour just wanted to share what he'd learned, he didn't mean any harm," she said, although she'd been listening closely. "Is he in trouble?"

"Of course not, my daughter," he said, gently touching her back. "His creators understand that it was just a misunderstanding. I think our cousin was just trying to communicate with Valour, he doesn't have much experience with sparklings...just like me once upon a time."

She looked up at him with wide optics. "He won't hurt Valour, will he?"

His spark gave a twinge at pain at the assumption that Angel might make the same mistake that he had once.

"No, he wouldn't dare," he assured her. "He was in enough trouble when he knocked out Valour to kidnap Red Alert, he won't risk that again. Do not worry about that."

She nodded.

"Valour said that he's nice to play with once he gets going," she commented on. "He said me and my brothers should all play with him sometime."

"That would be nice but perhaps next time, there should be some supervision," Skyfire said ruefully and she giggled.

"Are you feeling better now?" he questioned and she nodded.

"Yes, thank you Sire."

They hugged, however there were still doubts within her processor, doubts about if interfacing and dominating were the same thing.

Perhaps they were. And perhaps when the elders are doing it, it's annoying to get interrupted.

She must share that thought with Valour later.

Author's note. Can Angelwings make up for his mistake? Find out next time, until then.