Trigger warning: Trauma response, mentions of a beating, and some disrespectful behavior due to trauma.

Author's note: Huge shoutout to NuthetesA, draculaura12041998, Beastdragons2187,and BethxAngel for liking our story. My cousin is thinking may rewrite these 1st two chapters because I'm realizing that they're supposed to be children, but we may have been writing them closer to how adults would react. Let us know what you all think, we appreciate any and all helpful constructive criticism. :D

Crunch pressed himself against the wall as Heavyload and Hightower disappeared around the corner, carrying his brother, before moving towards the door that led outside. He laid his palm against the door. I can see the outside again. They'll never let me out... Will they?

R.E.V. had every intent to get to the training room for some target practice. That was until he noticed the child. The spychanger cocked his head to the side and watched for a minute. In a weird way, he felt bad for the kid, it's been ages since they were found and they haven't been allowed outside.

"Watch out, Kid." R.E.V. slid way passed and sent a quick signal to Hotshot. "Hotshot's on his way. Let's go to the command center real quick."

The green mechling twisted around, optics wide, surprised by the sudden voice. "I wasn't going outside! I promise! I ju- I just- I-" R.E.V. waved a hand with a chuckle.

"You're fine. We're just going to talk to Optimus...

"What?!"

"We're going to talk to Optimus," R.E.V. continued, scratching his helm. "So, you can go outside."

The Spychangers, T-ai, and Optimus were gathered in the command center with Crunch shifting side to side behind him. He glanced up as the yellow and red mech placed a hand on his shoulder before looking anywhere else.

"... Not healthy to keep them cooped up like this." Optimus glanced at the youngling, before looking around at his soldiers. So, far Mirage, Ironhide, and W.A.R.S. said to keep the younglings inside for their safety. Crosswise and R.E.V. were in support of taking them somewhere with supervision.

"You want us to take them outside," If Ironhide's optics got any wider, they'd surely pop out of his head. "Not that I think it's right to keep them locked in here or anything, but it's dangerous out there with all of the Predacons around."

"Yeah. Besides, we're Autobots. Not babysitters," Mirage chimed in.

I just wanted to go outside. The mechling thought and felt his lips tremble and washer fluid buildup. He stubbornly wiped the tears away before crossing his arms across his chestplates, shoulders hunched, and glaring at Ironhide's feet. It's not fair.

"No," Hotshot cut in. Crunch hadn't realized that he said it out loud. "It isn't, but your safety is our first priority. I'm not sure letting them out is the best option right now." Crunch glared up at the leader, his tiny fists closing around his upper arms.

"I don't care! It's a stupid rule!" He shouted, stomping his foot. The autobots stared in shock as Crunch wasn't known to react this way. Hotshot remained motionless as he stared the youngling down. "You're not my dad. I wanna go outside!" Mirage and Ironhide held W.A.R.S. shoulder as he attempted to say something. Mirage was slightly amused as he knew Hotshot didn't take disrespect lightly. Poor kid was probably going to have to scrub the base with a human toothbrush.

Hotshot's optics narrowed behind his visor, breathing deeply, before looking at Optimus. Optimus nodded and started leaving, motioning for the others to follow. Crunch watched with narrowed optics, hands shaking as he stared at that floor. He tensed as he heard the leader's footsteps approaching, knowing he was about to get a beating. I just wanted to go outside. His optics closed, before he fell down, sobbing his little spark out. He's gonna hit us too. Megatron wouldn't pretend.

He screamed as he felt Hotshot wrap his arms around his middle and pull him into his chest. Hotshot shushed him with a gentle squeeze and rocked side to side. The youngling pushed against him as he bawled. The spychanger held tight, muttering reassurances to the child, before pressing the mechling's face into his chestplate.

Crunch finally realized that he wasn't going to break Hotshot's hold, leaning against the mech to listen to adult mech's spark. Soon after he settled down, he realized that he wasn't being harmed and his wailing turned to sobs. Hotshot nudged the top of the youngling's helm with his faceplate in a fatherly gesture, much like his mentor used to do for him. Is this how you did it, Brawl?... Hotshot didn't show it on the outside, but he felt a helplessness that he hasn't felt in a long time. This was a child and needed protection, not used as Predacon cannon fodder. Younglings this age are supposed to have caretakers to help guide them. They didn't have caretakers and that has to be taking a toll on their psyche.

Crunch's sobs had finally died down to tiny hiccups and he snuggled closer to the leader's spark chamber. Being squeezed a little tighter and feeling safer, Crunch slowly wrapped his arms around Hotshots neck.

"I'm sorry."

Hotshot was almost surprised by the quiet whisper. He slightly pulled back to look at the youngling. Crunch still had his face pressed against him and Hotshot let him have his last few seconds before gently guiding the mechling to stand in front of him. Blue visor met green optics. Hotshot felt his lips quirk under his mask as Crunch sniffed and rubbed his optics.

"You're forgiven," Crunch looked at his hands. Fingers picking at his chipping paint. We're going to fix that later. Hotshot thought. "Now, I want you to listen because you're not in trouble right now, but your behavior was unacceptable."

"I'm sorry."

" You're ok. Next time, you feel these things you've got to come find us, so we can work these things out. You kids have been through a lot these past few months and I understand it's going to take some time to heal. We're also not mind readers, if we do something to upset you or hurt you in any way, you can say something."

Crunch nodded, "I just wanted to go outside." Hotshot rubbed his helmet as he looked towards the ceiling. Primus, help me find the right thing to say.

"I understand that. We all understand that, but things are very dangerous right now on the outside. Our main priority is to protect you and stop the Predacons." Hotshot didn't miss the flinch at the mention of their sworn enemies. "One day, we'll take you kids outside. I personally will see to it that my team and I get to take you ourselves."

"Tomorrow?!" Crunch leaned forward, optics sparkling.

"I don't know about tomorrow, but we'll discuss it. We still need to finish talking about today," He stated, firmly. Crunch suddenly found his feet very interesting. "I know you want things to go your way. We all feel that way, but you won't get anywhere yelling at us or being disrespectful. Okay?"

The tiny green mech nodded, "Yeah."

"I think you meant 'Yes, sir'," came the gentle correction.

"Yes, sir." Crunch said, making Hotshot's visor brighten with pride. "Can I have a snack?"

Hotshot chuckled with a nod. Walking out the door with the youngling, he ignored the spychangers gawking at the duo. The youngling started babbling on to Hotshot about some show that X-Brawn let them watch.

"Did you see that?" Mirage asked. "I can't believe it." Ironhide and Crosswise nodded in agreement.

R.E.V. chuckled, "The kid's gonna wrap everyone around his little servo and we ain't gonna stand a chance." W.A.R.S. gestured towards the subjects of the conversation.

"You all think that's strange. Take a look at that." At some point, Crunch had wrapped his hand around one of Hotshot's digits, still chattering away. The rest of the spychangers took one last look at each other before making their way down the hall themselves.