For fluffbruary 2023 Day 1; museum, Day 5; aquarium Day 7; Day 19; mosaic routine Day 24; art Day 27; photograph
Crosshairs sits at the edge of his bed, staring at his friends, Drift and Jamie as they sleep. Uncertain if it's because it's February, and he's learned about how humans treat February as the month of love as he remembers the day Drift told him he loves Jamie. As much as both humans and Cybertronians might question the relationship, Crosshairs is happy with how things turned out. To him, he's with his family and his sister, Lightning returning added to his happiness. Even if he's loved Drift for centuries. Crosshairs doesn't regret not telling Drift. He takes a picture of his two friends before Sunstreaker's text interrupts him.
Sunstreaker: Uh, how likely do you think Jamie would want to go to the art museum?
Crosshairs: isn't it obvious? In all the years we've known her, has she wanted to go to the art museum?
Sunstreaker: will you still ask? There's a new galaxy piece I think she'd like.
Crosshairs: ask her yourself. You know when we are in the cafeteria.
Sunstreaker: fine!
Geez, why's he pissed about being told to ask Jamie himself?
"That is unusual for Sunstreaker," Drift comments, hearing about Crosshairs' text conversation with Sunstreaker, "even while Jamie is struggling mentally. He is careful with her."
Drift goes on the art museum website, seeing photos of the exhibit Sunstreaker wants to take Jamie to see. He can't wait until later to talk to Sunstreaker. Troubled why now Sunstreaker doesn't want to ask Jamie himself.
"Sunstreaker," Drift calls out, before the blonde enters his room, "hey, what's going on with you? Suddenly worried about talking to Jamie?"
"With the way her mental health has been lately, I worry she'd take being asked as having no choice."
Drift sighs, "you're right, Jamie's mental health has been rough. A change in routine will be good for her. We all have the day off tomorrow."
With that, Drift walks away. Sunstreaker goes into his room. Finding his twin brother, Sideswipe is also in the room. Sunstreaker tells him about the conversation he had with Drift, and how they're likely going out with their friends tomorrow.
Crosshairs couldn't believe he's hearing Sunstreaker of all Autobots is worried about talking to Jamie. Both he and Drift worry about what the others — Autobots and humans — think.
"I'm not sure if they're thinking ridiculous or not considering what Jamie deals with in her dimension," Drift sighs, "I hate how this gets worse every year."
Crosshairs hugs Drift, hating it is hard to comfort him when he feels mostly the same. The only difference is how the two love Jamie.
While their suspicion is concerning, Crosshairs changes the subject. Talking about what they're going to do with Jamie and their friends tomorrow. Both mechs think they won't be at the museum for long. Drift thinks Jamie would like to go to the aquarium after the museum. Their final stop would be dinner.
"... you're right, a change in routine will be good for Jamie," Crosshairs finishes.
Both hoping Jamie will want to go out. Not liking they might have to make her go even if it's good for her.
"I hate this. Every year, her mental state gets worse. How long before she resorts to —?"
"Don't even think about it. We'll keep her safe. You know I hope we figure out how to help her like we could until three years ago. I-I can't believe it's been that long. Now her struggle is constant. I know frequent isn't much better but at least there was a period of happiness for a while."
Crosshairs realizes he should have stopped talking, seeing the tears forming in Drift's eyes. This has been hard for both of them, but he knows there's a difference between seeing the one you love like how Jamie has been, and someone who's considered a sister even though she's a human who travels across dimensions.
The two decide they'll talk to Jamie tonight and let the twins know if they're going out tomorrow.
Sunstreaker worries Jamie will not want to go out. Knowing it's good for her, but also hating how her guardians might be making her go out. He sits on his bed, expecting a text from Drift telling him never mind. Instead, Drift texts him they'll go out today and not just to the museum. Even Sideswipe is worried Crosshairs and Drift are making Jamie go out, though the two hate doing that.
Sunstreaker can tell Jamie doesn't feel forced. Hoping she'll be happy seeing the exhibit.
I'd love it if this would put her in a happy mood for a while. Sideswipe says through the bond
We'd all like that, but it's unlikely, unfortunately.
There's got to be something we can do. Sunstreaker wonders.
Lightning walks into the hangar, worried the day will not go well. Knowing how Jamie's mental health has been. Even the Autobots in the hangar, not going with the group of friends look worried about how the day will go.
The group of friends couldn't believe the size of the galaxy painting.
"Ten feet by ten feet," Drift reads out loud, "taking ten years to complete."
The group stares at the giant painting of the Milky Way. Sunstreaker pays attention to every detail. Hoping to paint a smaller-scale replica; adding his own style and include Cybertron. He smiles, seeing how interested Jamie is. Wondering if she'll want to do the painting with him and Lily? Knowing he'll have to bring Lily to the museum and see the painting.
There's no way you're going to paint this much detail. Sideswipe comments through the bond.
Don't care. It's something to do with Jamie, and I'm sure Lily will want to do this painting.
Sunstreaker didn't think Drift would suggest he take Jamie to go look at more art, or that Jamie would want to go with him.
"I worry she thinks she would have been told to go with Sunstreaker anyway," Lightning sighs.
"I know this is a problem, but can we not talk about it today?" Sideswipe asks.
The other three agree and go to the museum cafe to wait for Jamie and Sunstreaker. Letting him have this time with her.
Jamie is interested in all the art the two see. The mosaic art is the most interesting to her, aside from the galaxy painting. Sunstreaker smiles, seeing her look around.
He tries to get her to talk about the art, but she won't say anything.
Damn, what can we do to help her? Sunstreaker sighs.
Thirty minutes pass and the two go find their friends.
".. I'm worried about her and both of you," Sunstreaker finishes telling Crosshairs about the past thirty minutes.
Crosshairs sighs, "Drift and I decided not to tell most about Jamie's mental health because there's not much we can do. We only tell Ratchet and Rung because they want this in Jamie's file. You know Optimus wants to know how she's doing. Maybe we'll say something when Jamie's mental state improves."
I hope she hasn't been dealing with more scrap in her dimension. Sunstreaker worries.
"She loves animals, surely this will get her to smile," Sideswipe comments to Sunstreaker as they wait for their friends to park and meet them at the entrance.
"I don't know, Sideswipe," Sunstreaker sighs, "we're just lucky she's not hurting herself."
"That's not good enough!"
"No one likes it's been impossible to help Jamie, Sideswipe," the twins hear Lightning, "it's been hard for everyone, but for Drift and my brother," she sighs, frustrated.
The three drop the conversation as they see Crosshairs, Drift, and Jamie walking down the parking lot.
The group quickly discovers the aquarium is not what they were expecting.
"There are some birds and reptiles," Drift comments.
He can tell Jamie is happy about all the animals the group will be seeing.
"Birds, and reptiles too," Jamie smiles.
"We're going to be here for hours," Sideswipe guesses.
Sideswipe was right. Between all the exhibits and the time Jamie wanted to stay at each one, the group spent four hours at the aquarium. The fun is cut short due to closing time approaching.
"How many pictures do you have?" Sideswipe asks Sunstreaker as they wait for Jamie and her guardians in the gift shop.
"At least fifty. Who knows how many pictures Jamie has? I thought she'd film the entire time."
"That just shows how bad her mental health has been. I honestly don't think the smiles we saw meant anything. That's hard to ignore even with the good day we had."
Even Lightning agrees as she waits with them. The three worried about Jamie and her guardians.
"I don't think today helped much," Drift sighs.
It's ten at night when he says something. After Jamie is asleep, "I hate this feeling."
Crosshairs knows what Drift means. Hating there's nothing he can say. He's already said the two can keep Jamie safe. Hating it's been impossible to get Jamie in a happy mood.
All he can do is hug Drift while trying not to tear up himself. The two hope things will get better soon.
