TFP: Youngling
Ch.2~ Her Fears
The small femmeling shifted in my hold, looking down I saw her visor light up as her optics opened. Chirping happily, she looked up at me and smiled, hearing the antics of the children and their guardians she turned toward them. She made happier sparkling noises and clapped her servo's together pointing at them excitedly.
"Hey look Star woke up again!" Miko yelled, they all turned to looked at her.
She giggled happily making more sparkling noises, clapping again. Bumblebee gave her a small wave which made her even happier as she kicked her pedes and chirped happily. She was certainly cute and energetic. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too much of a hassle, but she did have the mentality of a much younger child than she is.
"Bee!" she called, squirming to be let down.
Setting her on her pedes she ran over to him jumping into his open arms. Shaking my helm, I turned back to my computer as she let out more happy noises. Smiling I remembered days before the war, caring for all those younglings and sparklings. The days when once I had finished my work I could sit down and play with the happy children. Or I would bring them in homemade sweets when they had behaved.
"Remembering better days old friend?" Optimus inquired.
"I shall always have a soft spot for children," I stated just loud enough for him to hear.
"If only you'd express that towards the human children as well." Optimus teased.
"They get my worry for their well-being; as you should know my tolerance for childish antics has diminished since before the war," I explained, he chuckled as I gave a quick glance back at Star who was happily playing with the human children; I guess I am sentimental after all.
(Optimus's POV)
It was time for the children to go home, Bumblebee handed me Star who was confused by them leaving. I watched her as she stared lost as to why Bumblebee and the others were transforming so they could take their charges home. Looking up at me she had lubricant in her optics, worriedly I cuddled her close hushing her.
"What's the matter?" I asked, Ratchet stepped in front of me and took her into his arms.
"Don't worry little one they'll come back." Ratchet hushed, "They'll be back to see you soon, no need to cry."
"Bee?" she mumbled.
"Yes Bumblebee will come back, and so will Arcee and Bulkhead." he soothed, she stopped crying and looked at Ratchet intently.
She nodded and gave him a small hug before letting him go; smiling I reached over to rub her helm. Looking around us she appeared to be studying the base intently before she began to make more sparkling noises.
"Opmis 'ere Kup, Sunzie, Sids, Percy?" she asked, were they on her ship also?
"Sorry Star but they're gone." Ratchet answered, she sadly stared at him.
"Go boo?" she replied.
"Yes." he muttered she frowned and clung onto him.
"No go boo, Bee, Cee, Bulky, they no go boo too." she muttered.
"I promise Stargazer that no one will go boo," I assured she looked at me happily.
"No go boo," she stated I nodded and she clung to Ratchet a bit looser. "Opmis 'ank 'ou."
I rubbed her helm as she chirped happily before she nuzzled into Ratchet's plating yawning. Her visor dimmed as she began to close her optics. Making more sparkling noises she fell into recharge again in Ratchet's arms. Poor child, how I wish they could stay innocent longer, but this war taints everyone…
(Bumblebee's POV)
"Hey Bee you said you knew Jazz, right?" Raf asked.
'Yep, remember I told you about Sunny and Sides, Jazz and Prowl adopted them when we were small. He was also my Commander for a while when I was in the special OPs spying on Cons.' I answered.
"How can two mechs have a kid?"
'Let's just leave it at we are all kinda both genders...'
"Sorry I guess that's kinda an embarrassing question..."
'Don't be, I guess it would be odd considering Earth's culture.'
"So, Bee have you ever had a girlfriend?"
'No, there were very few people my age and even less I was close to, all I had were Sunny, Sides, Jetfire and Jetstorm. I guess now Star but that was everyone around my age and none of them really interested me like that. You?'
"Can't talk to girls that well, so never really tried."
'I hear you, talking to feme's is hard.'
(Optimus's POV)
"Do you not think it is time for recharge?" I stated as Ratchet worked at the console with one hand the other cradling the recharging femmeling.
"I am almost done," he argued, smirking I reached over his shoulder plate and turned off the monitor. "It's not that late in the cycle."
"I would recommend rechecking your chronometer old friend," I stated, leaning over I kissed his helm.
"Don't start this." he growled.
"I wouldn't if you listened to me." I teased, "now it's time for me and you to go to recharge."
"Unfortunately, she will have to sleep with me for a while so you will be sleeping alone."
"As long as it means you will get some recharge."
"Fine."
I walked him to his quarters and went in till I saw him lie down on the berth. He closed his optics cradling the femmeling over his spark. Leaning over I kissed his helm, leaving him in his berth I headed to my rarely used quarters. Hopefully, we shall be able to share a berth soon, I have long disliked recharging alone.
(Ratchet's POV)
Holding a cube an energon out for Stargazer she reached for it chirping happily; what if she spills it all, we can't waste energon. Frowning I helped her hold and drink her fill, someday I'll have to let her do it on her but for now, she's too wobbly. Sighing I set the cube aside once it was emptied I looked at her cheerful smile. Now what to do with her, everyone else is out, maybe she will play quietly so I can get some work done.
"Can you do something for me Stargazer?" I asked she nodded hurriedly chirping happily. "I need to get some work done, so can you play down here quietly."
"Rache!" she cheered, chirping as I set her down on the floor.
Grabbing an older wrench I handed it to her to play with, she happily took the wrench and began to chirp, using it as a chew toy. Her mind will take some time to mature with her body. Turning to the computer I began to work keeping a keen ear out for the small youngling.
Alright, now I was performing a scan of this sector and running a diagnostic over this section of the mainframe. Running the scan, I began the diagnostic program. Wait; I have yet to give Stargazer a medical file. Opening up the medical folder I began to fill out the standard medical record.
It's been a while since I've been able to fill out one for someone so young. Putting in her creators I put them as deceased, it asked for adopted creators or caretakers. I guess I would be her caretaker since I am the one spending the most time with her. Filling out the rest of the form I saved it with the other medical files.
"Bwa!" Star cheered, chirping and whirling.
"What are you doing little one?" I asked, turning I saw her putting the wrench to her pede turning it like she was tightening something. "Are trying to fix your pede?"
"Me ficy my ped." she replied, chirping happily.
"That is very nice," I stated, she smiled at me happily chirping.
"Rache fic 'ot's?" she asked, once I turned back to the HUB.
"Yes I do, I am a Medic and Medic's fix bots," I replied.
"Opmis medic too?"
"No Optimus is the leader of the Autobots and a Prime."
"Bee, Bulky, Cee?"
"They are soldiers, Bumblebee is a scout, Arcee is a warrior, and Bulkhead is a wrecker."
"Ja weck too."
"He was in charge of them for.. how do you know that?"
"Ja tell me, Sunzie and Sids tell me they weck's too."
"Do you remember Jazz and Prowl?"
"Uhuh, Prower go boo on... Ja's home."
Frowning I knelt down in front of her, she looked confused. She doesn't understand the memories, she's so innocent. Despite what has happened to her; reaching over I rubbed her helm, she giggled happily chirping. I hated this war, I hated to see such innocence like here get stolen away. It reminded me too much of losing children who frequented the hospital get fed into the gladiator rings or slave trade.
"Do you like it here?" I asked she smiled and nodded. "You'll be safe here..."
-Ratchet I have finished my scouting, I require a ground bridge. - Optimus comment, getting up I opened a ground bridge for him.
Turning I saw Stargazer was holding the wrench to her chest as she tried to stand up holding it. Optimus drove in and I closed the bridge, turning back to Stargazer I lifted her to her pedes. Chirping she ran to Optimus who had just transformed, he smiled down at her.
"Opmis!" she cheered, he picked her up.
"How have you been little one?" he asked, bouncing her in his servos, she began to chirp in reply. "What about you, old friend?"
- You would know if I wasn't fine .- I stated over our bond.
-I like to hear you say it. - he replied.
"Me fic pede, me be medic!" Star exclaimed.
"So, you want to be a medic," Optimus stated, "you have the best medic to learn from."
Smiling she put the wrench to Optimus's chest and began to turn it looking very determined. This reminds me of the days before the war, she looks so sweet and innocent. Optimus and I looked at each other and we both began to chuckle as she moved the wrench to a new spot on his chassis.
-It's been so long since I saw such innocence. - I stated.
-Innocence is a treasured quality in these times of war, I hope to keep her as innocent as we can. - he said.
-I couldn't agree with you more Orion. - I replied.
"Rache!" Star cried, she held out her arms for me to pick her up.
"Alright come here," I said, picking her up she chirped happily nestling into my chassis. "You tired little one?"
Chirping again she closed her optics as she cuddled closer to my spark. Smiling I hummed an old Cybertronian lullaby, she clicked happily before finally slipping into recharge. Such a cute little femme, I felt a gentle wave of love flow into our bond as Optimus moved closer to my side.
-It has been stellar cycles since I have seen you so content. - he stated.
-I am happy to look after someone so young once more. - I replied. -It makes me hopeful for the future. -
-I would be inclined to agree with you, I cannot wait until the end of this war. -
(Bumblebee's POV)
Star sat happily in the crook of my servo as we stood behind the kids as they played a racing game. She clicked happily clapping her servo's together, I laughed at her energetic antics. She had been adjusting well and her speech had vastly improved this last few weeks. She still seemed a bit behind but I could tell that she would learn fast like she has been. I mean both Jazz and Prowl had been so smart, she no doubt gained that from them.
"Beat 'er Raf!" she cheered, she has gotten very good with her words.
"Come on Star not going to cheer me on," Miko whined.
"Raf win, he Bee in game. Bee fast," she stated, very matter-of-factly.
'Come on you should cheer Miko on too.' I said, she shook her helm.
"I want Bee win." she replied.
'But I'm not playing the game.'
"Car look like Bee."
'I guess it does, but Raf and Miko are the ones playing the game.'
"Bee play."
'I'm too big, and so are you; this is a human game.'
"Go, Miko."
'See that's better.'
Raf won the game as usual Miko demanded a rematch and the two started their game again. I ignored them a bit and focused on the excited femmeling in my servos. She stared at the small screen intently with a big smile.
After a few more rounds I noticed her optics dimming, she clicked tiredly. I tried to hold her like Ratchet did when she was tired but she pushed me away. Clicking more she peeked over my shoulder back to where Ratchet was working at the console.
"Rache," she called, turning around I saw him look over to the youngling in my arms. "Rache hold me."
'I guess she wants you.' I said, moving over I handed him the sleepy youngling who instantly curled up to his spark. I guess she likes him.
(Ratchet's POV)
Laying down on my berth carefully laying the small femmeling beside me, she instinctively curled up to my spark. Smiling I kissed her helm, offlining my optics. I had finished my work early for once and could get a bit of well-deserved recharge in. Besides I found myself wary of putting her to bed on her own quite yet.
-I am returning from my night patrol. - Optimus informed over our bond.
-About time, I was about to go to recharge. -
-Then I must be very late indeed. -
-To think I was considering asking you to come in and talk before I go into recharge. -
-I shall be there in a few clicks, do try to stay conscious. -
In a few clicks, my door opened and I saw Optimus silhouette in the doorway. Careful not to rouse the recharging youngling I got off the berth to enter Optimus warm embrace. He leaned down and kissed me sweetly, I smiled into the kiss as we both sent love over our bond.
-We have not had much time to be together like this Orion. -
-It has been far too long my love. –
We stood there a few clicks in a warm embrace just looking at each other content with just being close. He ended our moment of silent enjoyment by leaning down and capturing my lip plates into a loving, devoted kiss. I happily kissed him back, drawing as much love as I could muster into our kiss.
-If you desire we could continue this is my berth room. -
-I think I would enjoy that very much. –
(Stargazer's POV)
Shooting up in the berth I let a small sob, clicking I saw the Ratchet wasn't in the berth. Maybe something bad happened and he and everyone else is gone. Slipping off the high berth I ran from the room searching desperately for anyone.
The base looked intact, arriving in the main area I saw that it was empty. Where could he be? Clicking sadly, I ran through the corridors. He had to be here, some had to. They can't all be gone, I couldn't have slept through that. Right?
"Rache!" I called, "Opmis! Bee! Anyone!"
(Ratchet's POV)
I felt Optimus start to get up, onlining my optics I heard a faint yelling. What was going on? I felt the haze of sleep impede my thoughts as I slowly rose. We both looked warily at the door, what was that?
"Orion, what is going on?" I asked he looked just as confused as me.
"I am not sure." he replied, he went to the door his blaster ready.
"Rache! Opmis!" Stargazer yelled, leaving the room I saw her running down the corridor lubricant falling down her cheekplates.
"It's alright Stargazer." I hushed as I scooped her up in my servos.
"I thought you were gone..." she sobbed, Optimus stood behind me and reached over to rub her helm.
"Did I not promise you that everyone would stay; a Prime does not break their promise." he soothed.
"Ja promised me too." she muttered.
"Do you know what, till all are one means?" Optimus asked she shook her helm. "It means that at the end when we all go to Primus we shall all be together again, so no matter what loved ones will reunite. Primus and those passed on watch over the living."
"Ja and Prower are together?"
"Yes."
"Ja's happy then, I should be happy too. 'Ank 'ou Opmis."
"I am glad that you feel better now little Star."
He reached over and rubbed her helm, she smiled and snuggled up to my chassis. Of course, he had to use that to explain to the youngling not to be sad about death. The fact that it actually soothed her is surprising.
-I assume you will be taking her back to your room for the night. -
-Of course, what compelled you to say that to youngling? -
-I figured she would understand. -
-You are lucky that she did. -
-Do you want me to walk you to your room? -
-Yes, I am demanding you stay with us. -
-I can never say no to you. -
-Good. -
Cradling the youngling with one servo I felt Orion grab my free one as we walked toward my room. I want Orion with me tonight, I think having both of us close will soothe her enough so she doesn't awaken again. Entering my quarters, I laid on my berth sliding back to let Orion lay down, laying Star between us we curled around her my helm laying under Orion's chinplate as he murmured soothing words into my audios till I slowly was lulled into peaceful recharge.