TFP: Youngling
Ch.41~ Recovery
(Flashback)
I brought my knife to the mech's neckcables, he leaned back to retreat from the blade. I heard him chuckle, he turned to peer at me over his backstruts. A smile, I felt myself pull the blade back a bit, he didn't move.
"Yer a hard mech to find." He stated, he was looking for me?
"Why?" I questioned, he smiled bigger.
"I heard you could help a Con out." He said, I pulled my knife away.
"Hoping to get out?" I quizzed, he motioned me to follow him.
Tentatively I let him lead me down the corridors, reaching a door he coded it open. I nearly dropped my knife in shock, there laying a berth was a red-plated mech holding two small bundled sparklings. Sheathing my knife, I followed the mech into a room. Standing at the berth side I smile down at the clearly exhausted mech, slowly I moved a servo to them gently the brush the closest sparklings helm.
"Lil twins, aren't they cute." I cooed, the weary mech smiled.
"Breakdown wasn't kidding when he said you were kind." The mech mused, I smiled up at him.
"Love little ones, besides I ain't here ta judge a mech, I coulda easily been on this side too," I replied, he smiled nodding. "So, need me ta get ya four to the Autobots. I can swing 'er."
The mech's smile faded and he bite his lipplate, turning to the large mech, he looked upset too. Did they not want me to bring them to the Autobots?
"We only want you to take them." The mech stated, I turned to him in shock. "I'm a medic, one of the few the Decepticons have… They'll hunt me down if I leave, I was barely able to hide my carriage. I can't put them in that kind of danger."
"You'll all be safe with tha Autobots, trust me." I soothed; he shook his helm.
"High command has trackers in all its medics, we're too valuable…" the mech confessed, I felt my spark ache. "I can't go, and Breakdown refuses to leave me behind…"
"I can't do that Knock; you need me here," Breakdown argued.
"What are their names?" I asked, the mech smiled.
"The yellow one is Sunstreaker and the red one is Sideswipe, they're split-spark twins." The mech answered, I brushed each of the bitlet's cheekplates.
"Cute lil' things." I cooed, Sideswipe optics onlined, they were blue, how?
"They didn't need the added burden; I was able to change their optic colours." The mech informed, "I'm sure you understand that."
"I do… Are ya sure ya want me to take them?" I questioned, he smiled.
"I can tell, you'll raise them well." He stated.
"How can ya be so sure?" I pressed.
"Not every mech who even bother to hear us out even less would try to get us to go with them as well. Besides I know you'll understand them, twins will be judged just as I am sure you've been."
"Let me take you with them." I pleaded; he shook his helm.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that to them." He replied, "Please just take them."
He offered the bundles to me, I bite my lipplate forcing back tears as I gently took the twins. So small… He looked at them, I could see the hurt in his red optics. I moved to sit at the edge of the berth and leaned my helm to his. He leaned into me, the least I can do is give him comfort before I go. I hummed softly and he closed his optics.
"I'll raise 'em like my own, I promise." I avowed, "But I ain't leaving without yer comms. If ya ever need my help, I'll come. If you ever change yer minds, I'll come get ya."
"You really are the best mech to take them." He mused.
(End Flashback)
(Ratchet's POV)
I felt myself slowly begin to online, the first thing I noticed was the ache throughout my whole frame. I felt like I had escaped the pit, my optics flickered on I saw the ceiling of the base. The lights were dim, it must be late. Turning my helm, I saw Orion was sat on a crate hunched over with his helm resting on the berth next to me. I wasn't in our room; this must be my medbay.
I slowly raised my servo up, it was shaking, I reached down and place it on his helm. I felt him jolt up and my servo fell as he raised his helm up, a look of shock on his faceplate. He looked at me optics cycled wide a moment before I saw tears form in the corner of his optics. He leaned onto the berth, I turned to look at him as he hovered over me with teary optics.
"Orion," I stated, my vocalizer felt rough, seems I was really damaged.
"Thank Primus." He began, he lowered himself down so our helms were almost touching. "I thought…"
"I'm here." I soothed; I heard a sob erupt from his vocalizer.
"Why?!" he cried, "What were you thinking?!"
Oh… Right…
I had been fighting Megatron, he was close to killing me. Orion came in and saved me, then Sideswipe dragged me back to base. What had I been thinking?
I had wanted to save Stargazer.
"I wanted to save her…" I muttered, he looked at me with a hurt expression. "I know, I was a fool. Me take on Megatron, utter nonsense but then… It had made perfect sense…"
"You were not yourself…" he muttered, looking away from me.
"I'm sorry." I apologized, he turned to me in surprise. "I wasn't thinking clearly but that doesn't forgive my actions. I'm sorry."
"Please don't do this again." He begged, leaning his helm toward mine.
I slowly reached up and cupped his cheekplate brushing a thumb under his optics catching a falling tear. He must have been so worried, worried enough that his stoic side slipped away. It was almost comforting to see him like this, I always preferred it when he could be open and in tune with his emotions. Still, I did not like seeing him this upset.
"Orion, I assure you I won't," I assured, he smiled sadly reaching up to hold my servo cupping his faceplate. "I'm sorry I've hurt you so much."
"I know, and I forgive you. I always will." He hummed, I smiled at him fondly. "I do believe we need to talk; I don't want any more misunderstanding between us."
(Sideswipe's POV)
Stargazer whimpered and clicked between us; I gently rubbed her side as Sunny rubbed her helm. She'd woken up and begged for Ratchet, it was spark-breaking to deny her. She didn't need to see him, not that he was any condition to soothe her either. Still, she didn't know that and clearly wanted him to comfort her like he always did.
"I'm so sorry sis, I know you want Ratchet but you have to stay with us tonight." I apologized, she clicked something and weakly pushed at my chestplates.
'Maybe we should try something else?' Sunny suggested over our bond.
'Like what?' I quizzed, turning to look at him.
'Maybe singing, like Carrier used to, she liked it when we sang her his lullaby.'
'Let's try it.'
Sunny began to hum the melody to Jazz's lullaby, I joined in and both of us hummed for a bit. She settled a bit, we cuddled closer to her as we continued humming. Maybe this would work.
"Sweet little spark sleep soundly, sweet little spark don't cry for me. Stars and planets dance by our window and here we are again." I began, she cuddled her helm to my chestplates.
"Sweetspark little spark, close your optics. Sweet little spark, don't cry. I see light at the end of this warp, and I will take you home." Sunny added.
"Sweet little spark, don't you cry. Sweet little spark, shine so bright. My little light, sweet as can be, you know your creator loves you. Sweet little spark, don't cry. Sweet little spark, fall asleep tonight. Back home we shall go someday, just remember my sweet little spark" we intoned.
I looked down to see she had fallen into recharge, it worked. Turning to Sunny I smiled, he smiled back and we leaned out forehelms together. We were able to calm her down together.
'We did it!' I chimed over our bond.
'We did.' He affirmed, he gently nuzzled me which made me nuzzle back. 'We should try to get some recharge.'
'Okay, we should cuddle her, may help her stay in recharge.' I replied.
'Like you wouldn't do that anyway.' He teased, as we both settled down.
He wrapped a servo around me, as both of them shuffled closer to Stargazer. She mumbled something before settling back down. Cute. Sunny leaned his helm toward mine, I smiled and leaned so our helms were close.
'Hey, handsome.' I teased, he smirked.
'Primus you.' He replied, 'We'll have a long day tomorrow, get some sleep.'
'Night, love you.' I hummed.
'Love you too.'
(Stargazer's POV)
I leaned into Sides' plating as he carried me, why won't he bring to Carrier. He kept saying that Carrier couldn't see me, what did that mean? Did something bad happen? Did someone get hurt and Carrier was working on them?
"Ca?" I quizzed, peeking up at him.
"Not yet." He stated, I huffed. "I know, Sunny's checking to see if he can see you."
"Ca!" I whined; he gently began to bounce me.
"Just a bit longer." He soothed.
I don't understand. Why did Sunny have to check if he can see me? It's been so long; he must be done with whatever he was doing. I wanted to see him.
My vents hiccupped, that hurt! They kept sputtering which made the pain worse. It hurts, I want Carrier! It hurts! Why am I not getting better? It feels like everyday it's getting worse. I can barely talk; I can't even walk! And my stupid vents keep acting up and hurting!
'Sideswipe.' Bee called.
I turned my helm weakly to see him looking at us in concern, his doorwings hung low. I felt Sides rub my helm, my vents finally kicked back and the pain ebbed away. At least that was done. I turned back into Sides' plating feeling exhausted again.
"Hey." Sides greeted.
'He's up.' Bee stated, he?
"That's good, Sunny went to check on him." Sides stated, but he said Sunny was seeing if Carrier could see me.
'How you feeling Star?' Bee quizzed, I turned to see him leaning toward me.
I tried to speak but all that came out was clicks. Stupid body, why won't you work! He looked sad as he reached forward and rubbed my helm gently. I leaned into his touch; he was always so kind.
"Did we get it all?" Sides quizzed; Bee pulled back.
'Yep, all stocked up again.' Bee replied, stocked up?
"Good, once everything settles down, we can look for some more, don't want this happening again." Sides muttered, he sounded upset.
'We won't.' Bee assured, reaching on to touch Sides' shoulderplate.
"Sides! He can see her!" Sunny called.
I can see Carrier! I felt myself energize a bit, Sides' patted my helm and we began to head toward Sunny. Carrier must be done with his work! I pulled away from Sides more as I gazed out, Sunny put his arm around Sides as we headed toward the medbay.
Turning the corner, I felt my spark skip a pulse as I saw Carrier sitting on the medberth. His optics were duller than normal but that was nothing compared to the large cracks on his chestplates, and the large weld on his side. I felt tears build in my optics as I stared at Carrier in shock.
(Ratchet's POV)
I watched Stargazer's expression fall and tears fill her optics. It hurts as I heard her fans kick up and then stutter and stall. I wanted to march across the room and scoop her up. But I couldn't, my welds would tear.
Orion rose from his seat and went to Sideswipe carefully taking Stargazer into his arms. He began to hush her, I wanted to join him. I felt my servos grasp the tarp in my lap tightly. I hadn't wanted this; this was the last thing I wanted. And yet…
"Ca!" she cried; I rose my helm to see her reaching over Orion's shoulderplate toward me.
I couldn't help but reach back, Orion seemed to sense both our desires and carried her over to me. Carefully he handed her to me, I cradled her as she clung to my armour. I ran a servo up and down her backstruts as I leaned my helm down.
"It's alright, I'm here." I hushed, she wailed as she buried her faceplate into my plating. "I'm sorry I scared you, but I'm going to be alright."
I kissed her helm and continued to comfort her until her sobbing died down and she slowly began to pull away. She looked up at me, her faceplate a mess stained with lubricant. I heard her vents kick back in, and she clicked in pain. I hushed her cupping her cheekplate and swiping my thumb under her optic soothingly.
"Everything's going to be alright sweetspark." I soothed, she nodded leaning into my palm.
"Here love," Orion said, I turned to see him holding out a wet cloth.
"Thank you. Now let's clean your faceplate up Stargazer." I hummed.
Carefully I wiped her faceplate clean with the cloth, she relaxed more as I gently cleaned her faceplate. A smile grew on my faceplate as she began to chirp. I pulled away the cloth as I finished, she was smiling now looked more relaxed than she has in a while.
"All better," I stated setting aside the cloth
"Ca." she chimed, I smiled and pulled her closer.
"Yes, yes, Carrier's got you." I hummed, she chirped cuddling up to me.
"Love." She chirped, I smiled and kissed her helm.
"Love you too sweetspark." I lulled, more than you'll ever realize.
(Sunstreaker's POV)
I pulled Sides closer as his relief flooded our bond, I was relieved as well. I was glad Ratchet was feeling well enough to see her, even if it had upset her at first. She was now chirping, cuddling up to him like nothing had even happened.
Still, I was frustrated, angry even. He did something so stupid and insane in a misguided attempt to save her. It nearly killed him. Had he told us what we needed I'm sure we would have found energon. This didn't have to happen. But like slag, I'm letting it happen again.
'Sunny, calm down.' Sides soothed over our bond.
'Sorry.' I apologized; he nuzzled my cheekplate. 'We need to make sure this never happens again.'
'I know, but let's just enjoy this right now.' He reminded, I nodded turning my gaze back to them.
'Star looks so happy.'
'They both do.'
'I'm glad she landed here with him, with them, they're the best mechs to raise her now.'
'They really are… Just like Sire and Carrier were the best mechs to raise us.'
'No one could have been better.'
'Let's sneak out of here, wanna let them have their moment.'
'Right.'
We quietly snuck out of the room and began to walk down the hall, Sides pulled away a bit. As he did, he grasped my hand and we walked down to the halls servos entwined.
I hope Carrier and Sire can rest in peace knowing Stargazer is with them…