Welp. The time to freak out was now! Swerve stood there, whimpering sparkling at hand, trying to come up with a decent explanation as to why he had an upset bitlet clinging to him. One that happened to look just like Blurr. The racer's expression, something between shock and completely blank, wasn't helping him come up with anything. Think Swerve, think! What could he say?

"I need to get her to Ratchet!" Swerve knew that he needed to defuse the situation but- He was worried! That was the only thing he could think 's vents were making this awful ragged sound. They stuttered worse than his own voice when he had to do a presentation on Kimia! That wasn't normal!

Swerve knew his sparkling: Veer's a happy little bitlet that loves attention; right now she was hiding her face against his chassis, and her servos were weakly gripping his plating!

Did she look pale? Swerve thought she looked pale. Frag! Did they take too long with her injections?!

He cupped the back of Veer's helm with a frown. He didn't like how weak her field felt against his. Instead of her usual open and inviting, her field was scared and tightly wrapped within his own.

There was too much going on at once! The sudden onslaught of stress was giving him a helm ache. He swore he could feel a slight tremble coming from his plating. Oh, perfect, the anxiety shakes were kicking in!

Cyclonus stepped forward to put a clawed servo on his shoulder. "He's already on the way. I called him right after you."

"Thank you Cyclonus," Swerve sagged a bit in relief. Bless his friends and their quick thinking. Swerve could have kissed Cyclonus for doing that. He was glad somebody had their helm on straight right now, because his certainly wasn't.

Now the problem was waiting. He hated doing that on a good day, but with his daughter's vents freaking out, it felt like an impossible task. Swerve readjust his hold on Veer so he could get a better look at her face. It was still scrunched up and wet with recently fallen tears. Swerve chewed on his bottom lip, "I hope he hurries"

He put one pede in front of the other, looping in a little circle, to help distract himself from this crisis. Swerve wasn't even aware he was pacing around the nursery. He just knew that he couldn't stand still. Not with his little gumball being hurt.

"He'll be here soon. She will be okay," Cyclonus said with confidence that Swerve envied. He sounded so sure of himself. Swerve, on the other hand, felt like his world was going to shatter if Ratchet didn't get here soon. He'd lost so many loved ones before. Skids, Pipes, Ironfist, and even Blurr met the well of the allspark. He didn't want to lose anymore!

The inside of his intake felt dry. His spark was hammering away from the inside of his chassis. Overall, Swerve felt like he was on the verge of a breakdown.

Swerve was startled out of his own downward spiral by the gentile grip of a servo on his shoulder. "I'll go get Ratchet. Go sit down, and try to remain calm," Blurr instructed as he gently guided him to the rocking chair. Swerve was at a loss of words as the racer gave him a reassuring squeeze. The speedster did a once over on them, optics lingering on Veer, before taking off in a flash.

Ratchet- he needed to go find Ratchet! They needed the medic to help the sparkling.!

He felt like a gestalt was pounding inside of his spark casing with all their might against his frame. Blurr used that as fuel to push his pedes faster. The medbay wasn't that far away. Thank Primus.

Still, it gave the racer enough time for his processor to try and play catch up. That was a nursery. Yep, he was just at a nursery- and inside that nursery were Whirl, Tailgate, and Cyclonus who were watching a sparkling. Not their bitlet- not just any bitlet. Nope! That sparkling belongs to Swerve. A living, breathing, little newling.

Swerve had a sparkling. Swervehada sparkling!Thatmeanthehadasparkling!

Between his discovery back on the Necroworld to their trip reuniting with the Lost Light, Blurr had enough time to accept the fact that he was a sire. A sire without a sparkling.

It was a painful revelation. It hurt more than seeing the pile of rubble his bar had become. He mourned the life he never got to know.

It was still fresh in his processor, the moment he said his goodbyes. He had put a vial of innermost energon on their makeshift grave, prayed for their safe journey to the well of the allspark, and wondered how they suffered.

It didn't take long for Blurr's grief morphed into rage. At first he swore on the darkest part of his spark that he'd grant them vengeance. Still simmering with fresh hate he contacted all his brothers: every single wrecker he was still in good standing with would help rip Getaway to shreds.

Once that task was done he parked himself on a patch of fresh dirt near the resting place of two frames. While awaiting their replies Blurr sat there with so much anger that his frame shook. The weight of what happened resting heavily on his shoulders.

Swerve. His Swerve was gone. Blurr had dug his digits in the earth and gritted his denta together.

Blurr tried to push past those thoughts as he rounded a corner in the hallway. Still they occupied his mind like a ravenous scraplet colony. He couldn't escape it.

The picture of that small husk of a new spark was burned into his processor. All that rage towards Getaway turned to himself. He had failed to protect them. He let the mutiny happen. He's the reason why they're both dead!

Blurr, the fastest mech known to cybertron, stood idly by as a narcissistic wannabe prime destroyed innocent lives. It was like serving Nova Prime all over again. He was pathetic.

Blurr didn't feel worthy of a second chance. He spent all his life running away from problems, and every single time he tried to do something good it blew up in his face! Life had granted him plenty of opportunities that he was lucky to have. Racing, owning his own bar (be it briefly), and meeting Swerve. It would be selfish to ask for more.

Yet, there was one thing he desired more than anything. He wanted to see Swerve again. He wanted to see Swerve's beautiful dimpled smile blooming across his face as he rocked that newspark. Swerve would have been a wonderful creator. Blurr knew it deep in his core.

When Swerve came into view during that video call Blurr thought it was a dream. There he was, still nervous and charming as always. Nothing like the body Blurr had buried.

The universe was kinder, kinder than he deserved. Swerve was alive, Blurr was given another chance. Still, there was a question that burned in his mind. What about their creation? Did it even exist?

The racer had prepared himself for both possibilities. Blurr had accepted that there was a chance that this Swerve was never sparked in the first place. Then there was the chance Swerve is actively carrying. Blurr could tell Swerve was trying to hide something, and Blurr would coax the truth out of that brilliant bot sooner or later.

This time he promised to step up for the bartender. He'd protect them both with every ounce of strength he has. He'd be a good sire and hopefully a wonderful partner to Swerve. He would right all his wrongs. Sparkling or no sparkling, he still wanted Swerve in his life.

All of those well convictions went flying out the airlock when he realized the sparkling had already emerged. The scene he just witnessed kept looping as he ran. He just couldn't believe it.

Blurr was a mech of pure actions. He rarely felt at loss with what to do. Yet, when he heard the weak cries of that newling he felt dazed. Blurr was stuck in the doorway like somebody had glued his pedes to the floor.

He was amazed at how easily Swerve had jumped in to comfort the sparkling. It was surreal to see the same tiny husk he had buried move around with such life. He didn't think he'd get to see Swerve cradling that life so soon.

An array of emotions rip through him like a bad acid storm. He wanted to rush over to them in order to ensure this wasn't a dream. He longed to hold them both tightly and never let go. But all those selfish desires that felt too inappropriate at that moment.

There was something wrong with their sparkling, and he didn't know what to do. He watched helplessly as Swerve injected something into its soft protoform. The loud wailing tampered down to wet sniffles. Blurr's insides twisted.

He had so many questions, all threatening to come tumbling out in a garbled mess of words. They died on his glossa seeing the panicked expression Swerve wore.

No, he didn't fully understand the situation, but that could wait. He could get those details later. Right then, Swerve needed a rock. Somebody to help soothe his concerns. Blurr wanted to step up.

Blurr calmed his own erratic field before approaching the bartender. He guided them to sit in the nearby rocking chair. Blurr summoned an air of confidence and calm to blanket it over his nervous partner.

That's why he was racing through the halls right now. Swerve needed him. The sparkling needed him. This time, no matter what, he'd protect them.

His engine revved hard as he almost slammed into the very medic he was searching for. Ratchet swore loudly seeing the racer barreling towards him. Blurr, in a split second decision, decided not to stop. No, he scooped up the doctor, spinned on his heels, and turned back towards the nursery.

"The frag- put me down!"

"Sorry, but hold on doc bot. This courier bot was tasked with getting you and this is an emergency. You've been upgraded to express shipping!"

Swerve stared at the spot Blurr was standing at. The only indication that the racer was even there was the door that was left wide open and the black scuff marks now on the floor. He leaned back in the seat. His processor was having trouble understanding what just happened.

Tailgate gasped, "Cyclonus, did you see that?! He just vanished! Who was that?"

"Haven't you been paying attention, tiny legs? That was Swerve's baby daddy. Veer's transfluid donor. The sire of our best co-captain!" Whirl rattled off.

"Whirl!" Cyclonus warned.

Swerve's face heated. The urge to fling something at the helicopter was strong. He was lucky that Veer needed him more than Whirl needed a toy thrown at his optic.

Tailgate tilted his helm. "So wait…that's Blurr?"

Whirl clanked his claws together, "Ding ding ding!"

"Huh..wow! Swerve, you weren't joking about him being-"

"Maybe not now guys!" Swerve snapped, cutting Tailgate off. He reeled back, startled by how harsh his own voice sounded. All three of his friends looked at him just as surprised. Swerve covered his face and muttered an apology.

Usually he'd jump at the opportunity to gush about Blurr! It was his favorite topic. However, right now he really didn't want to think about the racer. Not with his sparkling hurt, nor with the potential fallout looming at Blurr's return.

Swerve felt his insides clench. His mask had slipped; goofy side kicks aren't supposed to lash out during tough situations. His job was to clown around! Help ease everyone's worries with some jokes, and good laughs! Swerve just... didn't have that in him right now. What were they supposed to do when the side character was the one hurting?

In more ways than one; he was sore, the spot he smacked against the counter throbbed at him angrily. He was surprised the weld hadn't torn because of his clumsiness. That wasn't what hurt Swerve the most. No, that was his upset sparkling.

There were lines of deep engraved coding screaming at him to help Veer. He wanted to scream back that he did all he could! He was useless! They'd have to wait for Ratchet.

There was nothing worse than not being able to do something for her! She is supposed to rely on him- he's her carrier! The only thing of comfort Swerve could offer was soothing circles against her back and to gently rock her.

Swerve thunked the back of his helm against the chair. He took in a shuttering vent as he tried to get control of his own emotions. He knew these thoughts wouldn't help Veer any faster. But Blurr could.

This was the same mech who won the Ibex Kup over seven times! Blurr used to rip past enemy lines to deliver critical information to Autobot headquarters like it was nothing. If anyone could get Ratchet here faster than it definitely was Blurr!

Veer was going to be fine. Blurr would be back any second. Swerve just kept reminding himself.

Those thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flood of warmth from both of his sides. Swerve blinked. He unexpectedly found himself in the middle of a warm hug.

Tailgate had made his way to one side of the rocker, Whirl on the other, and both had wrapped their arms around Swerve. Even Cyclonus stood behind him close enough so his field could brush against Swerve's.

His lower lip wobbled as his friends delivered the comfort he so desperately gestures helped ease the dread that had settled in his core. For just a moment Swerve remembered he wasn't alone.

His friends were right there for them. No matter the outcome he could count on them for support. It was a startling realization.

All three of his friends could have left. It wouldn't have been the first time Swerve was left alone devastated. Yet they stayed. Even though he was just a jerk! Something in his spark squeezed at their clear affection.

Swerve was no longer that lonely bot desperate for any type of connection. He didn't have to put on an act for scraps of attention. There are bots here and now that want to be around him.

Swerve leaned into their snug embrace. Whirl, despite his violent persona, was the one leaking the most care into his field. He was genuinely worried and felt guilty. They all did.

No no, that wouldn't do! Swerve knew that the injections being destroyed was an accident. It could have happened to anyone. In fact, he was surprised this didn't happen on his watch! He was the same bot that managed to shoot off his own face. This pales in comparison to that.

Swerve reached out to grab ahold of Whirl's claw. He gave it a squeeze. "I don't blame you guys, you know that right?"

Tailgate looked away. "Maybe you should."

Tailgate loosened his side of the hug. His visor dimmed in a way Swerve recognized well. Sadness. His own reflection often stared back at him with that same expression. No, he wouldn't stand for his friend to feel that way!

Swerve was quiet for a moment. He glanced at Veer. She no longer looked red in the face. Her optics were dimmed and her frame was relaxed against his. His friends did more than just ease his nerves.

Swerve nudged Tailgate with his shoulder. "The only blame you're getting from me is a 'thank you' for helping Veer calm down. Look at her, she's halfway into recharge thanks to you guys."

Tailgate followed his gaze. Veer happened to turn her face away from Swerve's chassis at that time. A sleepy smile bloomed across her face as her optics met his. Tailgate leaned forward as his field gushed with fondness.

"See? Veer isn't upset. She loves you guys."

Tailgate reached out with a digit to rub her soft cheek. "Does..this mean we get to keep watching her?"

Swerve nodded. "Yeah, of course! Anyways, I'm pretty sure Veer would riot if she didn't get her wrecker time with Whirl."

Tailgate laughed, "She does have a mighty blood lust."

Swerve couldn't help but to smile. It was kind of funny to compare his sparkling to those hardened warriors. Since she was such a friendly bitlet. Their moment was interrupted by a sudden gust of wind blowing into the nursery.

"Put me down you overclocked pile of scrap!"

Swerve looked up to see the disgruntled form of Ratchet in Blurr's arms. He batted at Blurr, who must have carried the medic all the way there, and fought to get his pedes on the ground. Blurr grunted as one good smack got him right on his audio receptor. Swerve cringed in sympathy. That had to hurt.

Blurr revved his engine in racer grunted as he set the medic on his feet. Once Ratchet was back on steady pedes he whirled around to jap his digit square in the middle of Blurr's chassis.

"Pick me up like that again and I will weld all your limbs together!"

Blurr rubbed the spot on his frame with a scowl. His optics narrowed as if he had some words he wanted to throw Ratchet's way. Any snide remarks he had died on his glossa as his optics caught the sight of Veer.

Ratchet followed his line of sight. His demeanor softened as he saw Veer's tired face. She was barely keeping her optics online.

Hope bloomed across Swerve's frame. Thank Primus they were here! He'd never been so happy to see the old doctor's faceplate.

"Cyclonus told me she had an episode, mind telling me any symptoms she's experiencing, Swerve?"

Swerve nodded. "Her vents sound off- like..a rattling? Ratchet, they didn't do that last time. Is she okay?"

The edge of his voice came out more strained than he intended. Swerve couldn't help it. The worry he had pushed aside came back ten fold.

Ratchet must have noticed his distress. He patted Swerve's arm before taking what appeared to be a stethoscope out of his subspace. Swerve, recognizing the tool, shifted Veer to give the doctor better access to her back.

Veer's face scrunched up as the cool metal touched her bare frame. Swerve was quick to whisper words of comfort as Ratchet worked.

He tried his best not to read into every slight difference in Ratchet's expression. That task was appearing to be impossible because Swerve's anxiety was determined to decipher every possible meaning of Ratchet's slight brow furrow. Swerve tensed as he awaited Ratchet's verdict.

The medic sighed, removing the device from Veer. Swerve felt a wad of dread settle in his tanks. Here comes the bad news.

"Kid, control your own venting before you get your sparkling worked up. She appears to be fine for the most part. That being said, it would be best if we avoid another incident like this anytime soon. Another attack would risk real damage. That sound you're hearing? It's just from her fans overextending themselves. It should go away on its own in a couple of cycles. I do recommend refueling her soon. She burned through a lot of her reserves."

Swerve deflated in the rocking chair. He muttered thanks to Primus that she's okay. That relief only lasted a minute before he caught Ratchet's unhappy expression.

"Now that Veer is out of immediate danger, let's discuss your health Swerve."

Oh, that was ominous. Swerve leaned away from the medic's scrutinizing look. Ratchet had this way about him to make fully upgraded mechs feel like bad sparklings. Swerve looked to be the next victim.

"Care to tell me, Swerve, how is it that the area that I just welded back together is already agitated and threatening to split at the seams again? Not to mention the fact you were up walking around longer than I recommended."

"Uh…goofy hijinks?" Swerve offered with an uneasy smile.

Ratchet crossed his arms. His optics had an edge to them. As if warning Swerve to come clean or else.

Blurr stepped forward gaining the medics attention. "That would be my fault. We were chatting so long we lost track of time. Sorry about that, I had a lot of questions. "

Swerve blinked. Was…Blurr covering for him? They both knew Swerve could have easily pulled up a chair. There were over a dozen littered around at the bar.

As if to confirm his suspensions Blurr winked at him when Ratchet wasn't looking. Swerve was too stunned to do anything clever back. All he could do was watch as Ratchet redirected his wrath towards the racer.

"Since you're talking for him, then what about his welds, speedy?"

Blurr stood tall even in the face of a fragged off medic. Swerve was impressed with how cool and collected he appeared. Ratchet got most bots shaking in their plating.

"It was an accident: he hit the corner of the bar pretty hard after he got the call from Cyclonus."

Ratchet huffed at that answer. The medic looked very slightly less annoyed but his scowl was still planted on his faceplate. He turned back to Swerve and placed two small pills in his hand.

"Take these, it'll help ease any residual aches. I expect you to get a cold compress after this and use it to get the swelling down. Got it Swerve? And no more standing. Get one of these fools to fetch the hoverchair. Don't let me catch you disobeying or I will admit you back into the medbay until you're fully recovered!"

Swerve paled at the threat, and nodded. Weeks in the medbay with no entertainment or other bots to chat with?! He wouldn't last a cycle!

Swerve swallowed down the pills Ratchet offered to him without complaint. He wanted to appear as a good cooperative patient. Last thing he needed was to get on Ratchet's bad side.

Swerve gave him a thumbs up. "Cold compress, no walking, and refueling for Veer. Got it".

Ratchet sighed. "I mean it Swerve. Take care of yourself. Now excuse me while I head back to the medbay. Somebody has to make replacements for Veer's broken injections."

Ratchet turned towards the door. He paused at the sight of Blurr. He narrowed his optics. Blurr didn't even flinch when the medic waved a digit in his face.

"You! Since you're so eager to cover for him! I'm holding you personally accountable for both of their conditions. You make sure Swerve listens to my instructions. Got that zippy?"

Swerve flushed. That was taking it a bit too far. He opened his mouth to protest only to be stopped by Blurr holding up his hand.

The racer lingered on Veer's swaddled form before landing on Swerve's face. Blurr expression was thoughtful before flashing them a dazzling smile.

"Loud 'n clear Ratchet the hatchet. I take full responsibility."

The dual meaning of those words was't lost on Swerve. He was probably just reading too much into it. Still, he couldn't help the heat that went straight to his cheeks.

Ratchet grumbled something under his breath as he marched out of the nursery. Swerve winced as the door slammed shut behind him. Primus he was not happy.

Swerve couldn't blame him. It seemed to be a never ending emergency when it came to his health. Swerve would try to avoid any future injuries for the sake of Ratchet's mental health.

"Maybe I should make him some goodies or something as an apology…At this point both me and Veer could have a frequent visitor punch card"

Tailgate nodded. "Yeah, I'm just happy he didn't lose it on us. Ratchet is scarier than Whirl's scraplet colony!"

Swerve let out a nervous laugh."It's the power of Veer. Her cuteness is the ultimate shield."

"Is that her name?"

Swerve stiffened hearing Blurr's voice. The racer had his arms crossed, helm tilted, and lips pursed. His optics were steadily trained on the bundle of sleepy sparkling Swerve had.

Tailgate looked between them. He then grabbed a hold of his partners' servos. "Uh- We'll be right back Swerve! Gonna go grab that hover chair like Ratchet wanted!"

Swerve wanted to plead for them to stay. He sucked at tough conversations! He much rather do it as a group. He didn't get a chance. Tailgate was already ushering the other two out the door. Whirl did snap his claws at Blurr on his way out. Swerve knew it was supposed to be a quiet threat. It came across more as an angry lobster.

Once they were gone the nursery got ten degrees more awkward. Blurr was standing there watching Swerve. Not sure how to break the tension he opted to fish out a bottle of sparkling grade out of his subspace for Veer. Yay for distractions!

He fumbled with the nozzle of the bottle before bringing it to her mouth. Veer at first didn't open her intakes until a few droplets landed against her lips. After tasting the fuel she latched on with no problem.

It was then it dawned on Swerve that he hadn't answered the question. Swerve cleared his intake. "Yeah, um.. her name is Veer."

Swerve smiled down at her. She had her helm pillowed against the crook of Swerve's arm, her little servo outstretched to loosely hold the bottle close, and optics hazy with sleep. Veer kept nursing completely oblivious to the fact she was about to meet her sire. Blurr took a step closer to the rocking chair.

"So, she's mine.." Blurr stated more than swallowed. Well, there's no stopping the inevitable. Swerve shifted to get more comfortable in his seat as he worked up every ounce of courage he had.

"Well, technically a different you.. but yeah.. She's my- our? sparkling… Not that I expect anything out of you! Wait- no I mean-..."His helm thunked against the rocking chair. "Primus, universe hopping is confusing. I guess the short answer is yes?" Frag, this topic was heavy. Which, naturally meant he had to do something ridiculous before he offlined from the sheer weight of this conversation. "So, uh."

Swerve did the stupidest thing he could come up with. He lifted his servo, carefully since he was using it to support Veer, and wiggled it around in a 'jazz hands' motion. He even threw in a 'tada' sound. "Surprise, you're a sire!"

Blurr looked down at him with an amused laugh. "I can see that!"

That really shouldn't have thrown him off as much as it did. Veer was the spitting image of Blurr. Her parentage would be hard to dispute. Still, Swerve hadn't expected Blurr to be so calm about it, since it wasn't every day a bot found out they were a creator. Swerve thought there would be some denial.

"And you're right. It's as confusing as Marty Mcfly meeting his own parents but I'm sure we can figure it out together."

"Wait-You've seen back to the future?"

Blurr smiled as he snagged an extra chair. "Yep, you showed it to me on our third date."

Wow, a third date?! How in the pits did he score a second or third date with Blurr? He hadn't even gone on a first date! Swerve stared dumbfounded as Blurr sat across from him.

The racer sighed. "I know that face. Swerve, I wasn't lying when I said we were lovers. And technically it was our first date. The first two didn't count since you believed we were 'just hanging out'"

Just hanging out…? That's what Swerve thought they were doing back on cybertron. Wait- were those dates?! His processor swam at that new information. That couldn't be true. Swerve almost dropped the bottle he was so surprised. He suddenly had a thousand questions for both versions of Blurr. The biggest involved a fake commlink number.

"Based on your reaction I say the other me fumbled the bag when it came to establishing our intentions. So let me clear that up before we get started. Swerve, I've been interested in you since we played that card game."

Swerve felt his jaw hit the floor. Since that far back? No, that couldn't be right! There was no way gorgeous super star Blurr was actually interested in him! Not seriously. No way!

"You're pulling my leg, right? I mean you and me..?"

Blurr quirk an optical ridge at Swerve with a smirk. He looked down at Veer as if she was all the evidence he needed.

He wanted to argue just because they had a couple of romps together didn't mean Blurr was genuinely interested. Swerve had dated plenty of people who just wanted his mouth to be used in better ways. He thought Blurr was one of them.

Not that he minded! Their time together was the hottest- Stay focused Swerve. He looked away unable to contain how flustered he felt.

He wasn't sure what to think of this Blurr. The one Swerve briefly knew was just as calm, cool, and charismatic. His field even felt the same. But that was the issue; Swerve had already been deeply rejected by the racer not once. but twice! He still remembered how much it stung when he realized he got another fake comm number. Fine, that was okay! Swerve understood why Blurr wasn't interested in him. He was chunky, loud, and pretty annoying. Nothing like the seductive racers. Swerve was just one of many who were hypnotized by Blurr's personality.

Now, here was this Blurr, claiming to be lovers with some other version of him. A dead version of him.

The math wasn't mathing. Swerve's occupation may be that of a bartender now but he onlined as a scientist. He had great pattern recognition and he often relied on those old skills in everyday life. That's why, from all the evidence he had on the previous Blurr, them having a relationship made little sense. It had to be a lie.

Oh, he would love for it to be true! Him and Blurr? Holy smokes, that's a crazy thought! That was beyond any fantasy Swerve could think of!

But, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. Swerve didn't believe the racer. He suspected maybe Blurr was doing this out of some kind of obligation?

But why? Why would a super awesome racer like Blurr feel the need to do all this? That's what was throwing Swerve for a loop.

After settling in his seat Blurr leaned forward to get a better look at Veer. Swerve tried his best to quell the urge to fidget. He was finding it increasingly difficult since Blurr was now reaching a servo out. It hovered right above Veer as if he was unsure about touching her.

"She's so small.. may I?"

Swerve swallowed. "Um, yeah! Go for it,"

Blurr brushed a single digit against her chubby cheek. In response Veer let go of the nozzle and turned her helm to see who interrupted her meal. At first the only thing she did was stare up at the racer. Then a happy smile spread across her face showing off her dimples. Blurr grinned back, unable to resist her charm. Oh. That was a good reason. Swerve suddenly felt very lightheaded.

Already his processor was supplying him with the possibility of what happened. This Blurr just lost his version of Swerve. That meant their sparkling was also…

It made sense. Swerve swallowed the thick lump in his throat. This Blurr must have dated his version of Swerve because they found out they were expecting. That had to be the reason he joined the Lost Light. There was no fragging way otherwise. Blurr would never date him.

Oh, he went from pity frag and upgraded to pity date. Swerve felt awful, he just wanted to disappear! Swerve forced a smile. "She loves meeting new people. Really, Veer has more charisma than Rodimus. Already half the ship is under her little thumb."

Blurr let out a chuckle as he stroked her face. "Little spark stealer, huh? Look at that smile. I bet it lights up any room."

Swerve could feel the affection pouring out with each word. And that look he was giving her was the same one Swerve had the first moment he laid optics on her. Blurr was already smitten.

It was like an invisible weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Veer wasn't going to be rejected. Not like the countless times Swerve had been.

Veer is his world. Swerve would much rather burden that type of hurt than let her feel it. Let Blurr turn him down. That's okay! But if the racer would have done that to his bitlet… Swerve was ready to fight.

There was the possibility of it happening in the future, Swerve knew that. He was just.. beyond thankful her first rejection wasn't going to be from her sire.

That sort of pain wasn't something he could easily mend. Scrap, he was still dealing with his own emotional scars from other bots shunning him. He wouldn't know how to soothe it if his own sparkling had to go through that.

This Blurr appeared to be nice enough. Though Swerve would need to address the force dating issue. He'll deal with that later but for now…Maybe it was being dumb or too hopeful but.. Swerve wondered if he'd like to….

"..Do you want to hold her?" Swerve offered unsurely as he sat the bottle off to the side.

Blurr breathed out. "Can I?"

"Considering I let Whirl hold her I think you should be just fine. Here, just copy how I have my arms. You are going to want to support her neck cables. Yep, just like that," Swerve instructed.

The bartender very carefully handed off his daughter to Blurr. Swerve tried not to laugh when he saw how stiff the racer looked. Never did he imagine he'd see Blurr look so out of his element.

At first Veer started fussing during the exchange. She didn't like to be passed around during refueling time. Though once her field made contact with Blurr's she calmed down.

Her face was a bit comical. Her optics widened, her brows knitted together, and she let out a surprised 'beep'. That was the look of a sparkling, who just felt a new yet similar spark to her own.

Blurr had a similar expression. It reminded Swerve of the racer's first interview. That was early in his career before his natural confidence kicked in. Back when he was unsure about his future and answers. Blurr looked like he was about to be asked a dreaded question about his personal life.

Well, in a way, he sort of was, wasn't he? Swerve cleared his intake as he watched the racer hold their infant daughter like she was made of glass. At least he had her cradled close to his chassis.

Blurr let out a breath he'd been holding. "She's beautiful.." He seemed to be memorized by Veer. Swerve could see the way Blurr traced every inch of her frame with his optics. He was studying her like she could vanish at any moment.

Swerve had to admit he did feel some pride swelling up in his chassis from that comment. Frag yeah she's adorable! That's his sparkling.

"She's so tiny too.." He continued.

Some of that confidence got squashed. Yeah, she is tiny. Thanks to her early emergence and his coding. Swerve did regret that.. He knew how minibots could be treated.

"Yeah, uh, she got that from me. Sorry to say but she's definitely part of the minibot club. I supposed she had to inherit something from me since she got all of your dashing looks,"

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Blurr said as he leaned back in his chair. "There's nothing wrong with her being a mini. Besides, I like minibots."

Swerve felt a blush creeping up on him. He knows. That's the reason why Veer is even here.

He distracted himself by grabbing the sparkling bottle, wordlessly offering it to the racer. Blurr took it but delivered such a sexy smirk Swerve thought his soul was knocked out of his frame for a second. Then the reality of the situation hits leaving Swerve feeling icky. He didn't want forced flirting.

Blurr adjusted Veer in a better position so that he could feed her. "Also that isn't the only thing she got from you. She has this friendliness in her field like yours. And that smile- it's way too cute to come from me."

Swerve could see it if he squinted real hard. Her little chubby cheeks for sure came from him. No doubt about that.

Heck, she even had his awkward laugh. Anytime Veer dropped a toy, which happens often since her motor functions aren't developed quite yet, she'd let out a surprised burst of giggles. That was a move she probably developed after watching Swerve do the same with a tray of energon goodies. They were clumsy buddies together.

Other positive attributes obtained from him were harder for Swerve to see. Veer just reminded him too much of the racer. Swerve rubbed under his chin as he compared the two. From her frame type down to her vibrant personality it screamed Blurr. It was only becoming more apparent the longer he looked at them together. Blurr was just trying to be nice.

Bots around the ship were right. His forge really was like a copy machine.

"She does have a cute smile. Though I think that was pure luck, not so much my coding," he admitted.

"Oh, I'd gladly dispute that Swerve, and I plan to, but there are a couple of things I want to discuss first. Such as…" Blurr glanced at the ugly welds littering Swerve's middle.

"Oh..yeah…those."

"And I'd like to know what just happened with Veer. What was that? Why does she need injections?"

Swerve cringed at the questions. "Veer, our sweet little bun, came out of my oven a little under baked and a bit too early. That's, uh, my fault…" he sagged.

It's okay. He could do this. He just had to admit to his idol he's so out of touch with his own frame that somehow he missed all the signs that he was carrying.

"Ididntknowiwassparked!" He blurted out.

Now that the gate is opened words started to tumble out of his intake. "I had a bolt installed! So I thought there was a zero chance of me getting preggo. It never crossed my processor that the reason I was feeling so funky was because of a stowaway. Nope! Couldn't be that! I thought it was because I opened Brainstorm's suitcase, which was partially a factor, but yeah I had no clue until she was shooting out between my legs like a slingshot. Trust me it wasn't a pretty sight. Be glad you weren't there. There was so much energon that I thought I was dying. " Swerve couldn't stop his mouth from moving. "Like the bar looked like the ending to Carrie levels of fluids. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. Veer was born in the bar. Still haven't got the stain out. Oh, Primus, please shut me up before I keep saying embarrassing slag!"

Swerve hid his face in his servos as his cheeks burned. He couldn't bring himself to see Blurr's reaction. Frag, why did he say all that? Why couldn't he just speak like a normal person?

"Wait- you didn't know?"

His spark stopped for a second. He wanted to shoot back 'Did you?' but Swerve felt too flustered to be confrontational. Though, in a way, that comment confirmed his suspicions. Blurr totally was seeing the other Swerve because he was sparked. Right? Right. There was no other reason.

He nodded but still refused to look up at the racer. It didn't help that he could hear Blurr swear under his breath. Could he just disappear from this conversation?

"So, let's see if I'm following this correctly. You both got hurt because she was premature? That's why she had an attack? "

"Sort of? She kind of punctured my gestation chamber with her helm crest on her way out. So, yeah, she would totally win a knife fight. As for the attack… See, she's got a racer frame, but her ventilation system isn't fully developed, so she can overheat.. Her injections are full of coolant to combat that. But she's okay! Ratchet said with time it could repair itself. This is temporary."

He was jealous of his other self, even if he was dead, because at least that Swerve didn't have to explain how his extreme self neglect had lasting consequences. On both him and his creation. Suddenly he felt so very small in his seat.

Blurr spoke softly, "I'm sorry that you went through that alone. That must have been terrifying, for both of you."

"I guess it's a good thing that I like horror movies, right Veer?"

Swerve finally looked up to check on his creation. Veer was laying in Blurr's arms with an unhappy face. She grumbled out a beep at the racer since he wasn't tilting the bottle quite at the right angle.

Blurr's face lit up in panic unsure at what's upsetting their creation. Swerve bit the inside of his cheek so that he wouldn't laugh. Blurr clearly hadn't been around a lot of sparklings. Wordlessly Swerve offered assistance by guiding the racer's servo in the correct position.

Blurr frame eased up as Veer refueled. "Thank you.."

"Not a problem. You'll get a hang of it after a while. If, uh, you want to spend more time with her"

"Oh, absolutely. I want to spend more time with the both of you." Blurr flashed him another devilish smirk.

Remember, if it's too good to be true then it is. Swerve gave a polite smile back. Hopefully soon Blurr will realize that he didn't need to force a relationship with them. He should go out there and live his own life. He was Blurr after all! Two minibots he barely knew shouldn't dictate his future.