hsv, Autobot base, Another Chapter
Sideswipe: *bringing Columba and Sunstreaker some energon, since Showtime's sleeping quietly*
Columba: *sitting by sister and rubbing her back, optics gentle and watchful*
Sunstreaker: *gently smoothing Showtime's helm, doesn't notice what Sideswipe has until a cube of mid grade is all but shoved into his hands by his twin*
Columba: *smile for Sideswipe. She's amused by his interaction with his brother*
Sideswipe: *offers the second cube to Columba*
Columba: Thank you, Sideswipe. *bit shy as she tastes it*
mid grade: *is plain mid grade, with just a bit of carbon mixed in*
Columba: *drinks about half of it, then offers the rest back to Sideswipe*
Sideswipe: *blink blink, small headshake* I had a cube already.
Columba: Ohh. *drinks the rest*
Sunstreaker: *quietly* Showtime's pretty much out of it... why don't you two go and get some rest?
Columba: *gives him a quizzical look, then turns her optics to Sideswipe*
Sideswipe: *soft snerk, razzes Sunstreaker a bit* Fiiine...
Columba: *wonders if she's missing something, but stands obediently*
Sideswipe: *moves to gently pick Columba up* *looks to Sunstreaker, and then nods at something his twin says over the twin-bond*
Columba: *snuggles against him, her optics flicking from him to his twin*
Sunstreaker: *carefully climbing onto Showtime's table and holding the sleeping femme close*
Sideswipe: *quietly bids his brother goodnight, before heading out of the medbay*
Columba: *quietly* We've never left Showtime's side before. Has something changed?
Sideswipe: Nah... Sunstreaker just thought maybe we'd like a break... I guess he's trying to think of the needs of others before his own needs...
Columba: *concerned that she's overlooked something she should have seen* Do you need something?
Sideswipe: I'm fine... Sunny just thinks you and I should be spending more time together 's all... *soft chuckle* He's such a suck sometimes...
Columba: We've been together since you brought me here. *leaning against him and giving just a whisper of her soft purr*
Sideswipe: *gently nuzzles Columba's helm* I know... But Sunny meant time where it's just you and me... I think he's saying I'm not being very romantic.
Columba: *Optics shutter at the nuzzle* *softly* What does 'romantic' mean?
Sideswipe: I'm not really sure, to be honest...
Columba: Oh. Why didn't you ask Sunstreaker?
Sideswipe: *blink* ... I don't think he knows, either...
Columba: I'm confused.
Sideswipe: *Gently as he nuzzles her helm again* Don't worry, I am too.
Columba: *quiet for a moment, then* Is there somewhere we can find out?
Sideswipe: Um... Maybe Optimus'd know?
Columba: There's only one way to find out.
Sideswipe: Yup. *grins and moves to head to Optimus' office*
Optimus: *evicts Magnus from his office so that he can get his paperwork finished. Closes door firmly*
Sideswipe: *Blink blink* Er....
Columba: *looks at him, and then looks uncertainly at the tall mech who got pushed out into the hall*
Magnus: *snickering a bit. Was distracting Optimus by talking about anything that came to mind*
Sideswipe: *Raised brow ridge* What'd you do to cheese Optimus off?
Magnus: *innocent grin* Talked about everything other than the paperwork.
Sideswipe: ... *would facepalm, but currently has arms full with girlfriend* You are a dork.
Magnus: Wanna take notes?
Sideswipe: No. *goes to tap at Optimus' door*
Optimus: Go away. I'm busy.
Sideswipe: Awww, c'mon, Chief... I've gotta question about stuff!
Optimus: ...Sideswipe? I don't have time. Come back tomorrow.
Sideswipe: *sigh* Alright. Guess I'll just go ask someone else then.
Columba: *slight frown of concern as she looks at his face, but then she glances quizzically at Ultra Magnus, wondering if he'd know*
Magnus: Ask about what?
Sideswipe: Well... Sunny said Columba and I should spend some time together where it's just the two of us...
Magnus: .... *confused expression* So what are you doing at Optimus' office?
Sideswipe: Well, we wanted to ask Optimus if he knows what romantic is... 'Cause I think that's what Sunny was getting at....
Columba: *startles and hides against Sideswipe at Ultra Magnus' sudden uncontrollable laughter*
Sideswipe: *Stinkeyes Magnus*
Magnus: *finally gets hold of himself* Okay. I'll tell you. But you have to set the lady down for a little while and come over here.
Sideswipe: *goes from stinkeyeing to sulk in less than 0.02 seconds*
Magnus: *amused chuckle* C'mon, it's only for a little while....
Columba: *slight little shift to show that she's willing to go down*
Sideswipe: *Working this over in his processor. Does want to know what Magnus is talking about, but at the same time, he doesn't want to let go of Columba, since she's nice to hold onto and cuddle*
Magnus: *giving Sideswipe a look* Do you want to know, or not?
Sideswipe: *frown, gently sets Columba on her feet, and moves closer to Ultra Magnus*
Columba: *steps to one side so that she won't be in the way of anyone who wants to pass. Is careful not to look at the two mechs*
Magnus: *quietly explaining, laughs at the 0_0 look on Sideswipe's face after he's done explaining*
Columba: *chasing a tarantula around the wall with one finger*
Sideswipe: *looks a bit brain-broken now*
Columba: *looks up as he comes over to her. Frowns with concern and puts a hand on his arm* Sideswipe?
Sideswipe: .>.<. *mutter* Sunny's a jerk sometimes...
Columba: *worried now* Are you alright?
Magnus: *chuckles and heads for the rec room*
Sideswipe: *moves over to pick Columba up* I'll be alright...
Columba: *knows he likes hugs. She'll give him one now, complete with a little back rub*
Sideswipe: *Gentle helm nuzzles* *Quietly* Let's go find someplace quiet to sit for a bit...
Columba: *softly* Alright.
Sideswipe: *Going to avoid the rec room for now... oh, hey, the training room's empty!*
Columba: *all her attention is on Sideswipe as she leans against him and looks at his face and gives a soft whisper of her purr*
Sideswipe: *settles against the wall of the training room, wants to cuddle for now*
Columba: *hug?* You're so quiet.
Sideswipe: *Hugs* Just... Got a lotta stuff on my processor... Sunny 'n Show's kids're gonna be born soon... 'n I dunno if Magnus was being serious or not....
Columba: *softly, her face against his chest as she continues to hug* What do you mean? About Magnus.
Sideswipe: Err... *slight blush, mumbles some of what Magnus told him*
Columba: Candles... fuel... touching lips? *she thinks that's part of what he said....*
Sideswipe: *Small nod, still blushing*
Columba: *brightens* You already gave me fuel.
Sideswipe: *small nod, snuggles*
Jazz: *stumbles backward into the room, her laughter muffled as Bumblebee tries to steal a kiss*
Sideswipe: Ack! *scoots away from the door, Columba held close*
Bumblebee: *Also acks* Sorry! I thought the training room was empty! *embarrased mech is embarrased*
Jazz: *chuckles, one arm still around her mate* Sorry, Swiper. We'll go find our own spot. *winks and herds Bumblebee out*
Sideswipe: *Blushing furiously now*
Columba: *totally confused*
Sideswipe: *mutters something about everyone being out to get him or something*
Columba: *softly, her hand rubbing his arm in a comforting manner* But they didn't know that we were here.
Sideswipe: *Pout* Stiiilllll....
Columba: *tries the gesture of affection that he's given to him, only since she's smaller she can't reach his helmet and nuzzles his cheek instead*
Sideswipe: *holds Columba close, more cuddles clearly on his processor*
Columba: *hugs him and lays her head against his shoulder, her big optics seeking his in that way she has*
Sideswipe: *expression softens as his optics meet Columba's*
Columba: *small smile, her optics brightening slightly*
Sideswipe: *hesitantly moves to offer Columba a gentle kiss*
Columba: *browplates raise, but she tips her head so that their lips connect. Startles at the tingle*
Sideswipe: *also startles at the tingle, clearly wasn't expecting that, seeing as he's moving back a bit*
Columba: *hand to mouth, running a self diagnostic*
Sideswipe: Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I? *worries, going to fuss over her in a bit*
Columba: *shakes head slowly, her optics absent as she focuses on her systems' report* I'm undamaged. ...I actually think it was good for me.
Sideswipe: *clearly relieved, gently snuggles Columba*
Columba: *cuddles close* Do you think that's what Magnus meant? *has never seen a kiss*
Sideswipe: *careful shrug* Dunno... maybe?
Columba: *considering as she nuzzles against his shoulder*
Sideswipe: *Quietly* I'm just glad I didn't hurt you....
Jazz: *voice from the hall* 'Bee, what are you? A kiss machine? *embarrassed but amused laugh* People're gonna be laughin' at us.
Columba: *was starting to reply but now goes 0.o instead*
Sideswipe: ...*sighs* Those two....
Columba: *softly* Are they doing something wrong?
Sideswipe: No.... I just wish they'd go elsewhere for now...
Jazz: C'mon, lets go ta bed. You know how you look in the mornin' if you play all night.
Bumblebee: *sheepish chuckle* Yeah....
Columba: *listens to their footsteps fading away*
Sideswipe: *relaxing a bit once he can no longer hear Jazz and Bumblebee out in the hall, moves to nuzzle Columba's helm again*
Columba: *once more cuddles close* They're gone now.
Sideswipe: *small nod* I heard... *thinking about trying the kiss again, now that he knows he didn't hurt Columba the last time*
Columba: *purring for him, her gentle smile starting to peek out strongly*
Sideswipe: *again hesitant, moves to give Columba another gentle kiss*
Columba: *shutters optics and kisses back, though she startles once more at the stronger tingle*
Sideswipe: *starting to get a bit dizzy, breaks the kiss when his head really starts to spin*
Columba: *leaning against him and running another self diagnostic* *small voice* I'm dizzy. But it doesn't feel bad.
Sideswipe: *small nod, a bit of a silly grin on his face* Yeah...
Columba: Maybe this is what Magnus meant.
Sideswipe: Maybe... *still grinning that silly grin, even as he cuddles*
Columba: *nuzzles against his shoulder, her purr holding contentment as well as comfort now* *softly* Your spark sounds happy.
Sideswipe: 'S hard not to be... *grin* I've got a pretty femme choosin' t' spend her time with me.... *snuggles*
Columba: *tilts her head to look up at his face, a bit perplexed* And what else would I choose to do? *other than nuzzle you again. The gesture makes her happy*
Sideswipe: *blink blink, small shrug, is still a bit foggy-processored from the earlier kiss* Umm... I dunno....
Columba: I'm your femme. My place is by your side.
Sideswipe: *small smile, gently nuzzles Columba's helm*
Columba: *tips her head up and kisses him on the cheek*
Sideswipe: *turning a thought over in his processor* Too bad we don't have witnesses....
Columba: *softly, as her hand goes to touch his other cheek and she snuggles the top of her helm against the one she just kissed* Witnesses?
Sideswipe: F'r word-bonding... We'd need three, at the very least... to make sure it's official 'n stuff... *nuzzle*
Columba: *looks up at him as her spark surges with joy* Like Jazz and Bumblebee did yesterday.
Sideswipe: *nods* Yeah. *expression gentle as he moves to kiss Columba's forehead*
Columba: *up to her knees to put her arms around his neck. Inside she's squealing with happiness. On the outside she's as soothingly calm as ever*
Sideswipe: *moves to stand, holding Columba close* I wonder if we can pester Optimus to be a witness...
Columba: There were other mechs in the room where Magnus went, too.
Sideswipe: Truuuue... *grins and moves to leave the training room*
Columba: *arms still around his neck, she lays her head against his shoulder and mutes her purring to the soft whisper*
Magnus: *booking it from the rec room as several pillows chase him out, is laughing his head off*
Columba: 0_o?
Sideswipe: *Cautiously peeks into the rec room, laughs when Denver brandishes a pillow at him*
itty bitty sparklet committee: *conked out on the couch*
Columba: *looks at Denver's pillow, and then turns her head to see who else is in the room. Her optics are bright with hope and excitement. And probably from the after effects of that kiss*
Chromia: *bemused expression as Carina recharges in her arms*
Ironhide: *sitting on the couch behind his mate, slumped down so that his back is bent at an awkward looking angle* *quizzical look toward Sideswipe and the little femme in his arms*
Sideswipe: *Perks up when he spots Ironhide and Chromia, since with Denver, there's three witnesses in the room*
Sunhalo: *yawwwn from where she's curled up with Dion and Lumen in the corner on a big old pillow made from a tractor inner tube*
Lumen: *doorwings fluttering a bit as he looks up at the ceiling, a blissfully blank expression on his faceplates*
Dion: *asleep, is sucking on his thumb a bit as he recharges against Sunhalo*
Kia: *looks toward the door from where she's curled up next to her sleeping mate and daughter* Oh, greetings, Sideswipe. How is Showtime?
Sideswipe: She's asleep right now... Sunny's with her... 'Cording to Docbot 'n 'Aid, the kids'll be out in the next week'r so...
Kia: *gentle smile* Are you looking forward to seeing them?
Ironhide: *snorts without taking his eyes from his game show*
Sideswipe: *nods* Yeah... Sunny's even more excited about it than I am... *gives Ironhide a Look as Chromia moves to settle beside the larger mech*
Ironhide: *sits up a bit so that he can try to pull Chromia and Carina into his lap. Doesn't seem to have noticed the Look at all*
Chromia: *laughs quietly as she and Carina are pulled onto Ironhide's lap*
Ironhide: *grins, still watching his show*
Kia: I imagine he must be. *sobers as she thinks of Showtime and Sunstreaker's first sparklet*
Sideswipe: *small, sad nod, nuzzles Columba's helm a bit*
Denver: *coming over to get some energon* Wh't's goin' on?
Columba: *can speak to another femme* We're looking for witnesses.
Ironhide: *brow plates lift, though he's still intent on his show, and on cuddling his cheek against Chromia's side*
Denver: *blink blink* Witnesses? F'r wh't?
Sideswipe: To make Columba's and my word-bonding official.
Kia: *claps her hands softly and reaches out to Perceptor over their bond* -Sideswipe wants to word bond with his lady, my love. Will you witness?-
Perceptor: *Awake, though he is a bit groggy*
Ironhide: So what're you waiting for? I'm listening.
Sideswipe: *looking Columba in the optics* You're mine.
Columba: I am. *nod*
Chromia: Y'u need t' claim him too.
Denver: *is so going to ask someone to explain what's going on*
Columba: *blinks and looks at Chromia* I do?
Chromia: *Nods* It's part'a th' ceremony.
Columba: Ohhhh. *looks back to Sideswipe, that gentle smile nearly reaching grinhood* You're mine.
Ironhide: I saw that. *even if he wasn't looking*
Perceptor: *nods* We too, bear witness to this word-bond.
Denver: *Kind of getting the gist of this* I saw it too. *goes to get her energon, and after that, to retrieve her son*
Sunhalo: And I saw it too. *even if three grownups have already spoken up*
Sideswipe: *Gleee, nuzzles Columba's helm again*
Columba: I'm yours now? *looks up at Sideswipe hopefully, her optics sparkling*
Sideswipe: *nodnod* Yeah. *griiin, snuggle*
Columba: Ohhhhhh. *happy! Hugs him around the neck*
Kia: *soft smile as she slips off the couch and offers her arms for Aria, intent on going and seeking her family's hammock for the night*
Perceptor: *gently transfers Aria to Kia, before getting off of the couch as well*
Kia: *her hand in his and her daughter held close, she slips past the new couple, murmuring she and Percpetor's congratulations as they go*
Sideswipe: *small nod, before he blinks as he realizes something* Er... now what?
Ironhide: Now you go to your berth and cuddle and kiss each other stupid. But don't go tripping your bonding mechanism. Sunstreaker and Showtime don't need the feedback.
Chromia: *giving Sideswipe a puzzled look* Y'u di'n't know?
Sideswipe: *trying to hunker down on himself now*
Columba: *purring to her mate soothingly*
Ironhide: No. He's the innocent one of the pair. It was Sunstreaker that was telling the other younglings stuff they didn't need to know.
Chromia: *Soft snerk, headshake* Should'a known...
Sideswipe: *nuzzles Columba's head*
Ironhide: *lobs a pillow at Sideswipe's head, still without looking at him* Not here.
Columba: *soft meep and startled laugh as the pillow hits*
Sideswipe: *Acks*
Lumen: ... Awww, maan! *grumbles and moves to sit up carefully*
Sunhalo: *looks at him* What?
Lumen: Until Sideswipe made that noise, I had a pretty good brain vacuum going on... *sulk* Three hours, down the pipes.
Sunhalo: *chuckles* You'll get it going again.
Chromia: *raised brow ridge at the youngbots, before she shakes her head and moves to snuggle back against Ironhide*
Carina: *Sleepy noise*
Columba: *looking quizzically toward the big dark femme and her mech, but then looks up at her own mech* Let's go.
Sideswipe: *nods, moves to carry Columba out of the rec room*
Galvatron: *heading down the hall, whistling. Pauses to look at the taller mech*
Sideswipe: *small nod to Galvatron, trying to decide whether to head back to the medbay, or to quarters*
Galvatron: *nods back* Taking a break?
Sideswipe: Kinda... *grin*
Galvatron: *lifts a brow plate, inviting the taller mech to elucidate*
Sideswipe: *nuzzles Columba's helm again* Word-bonded. *happy mech is happy*
Galvatron: *smiles* *quietly* Congratulations.
Columba: *will hide shyly against her mate*
Sideswipe: *nods* Thank you... *still trying to decide between the medbay and quarters*
Galvatron: And you'll have your quarters to yourself. That will be nice. *nods, no trace of a smile or any mockery*
Sideswipe: *small nod* *Quietly* We've gotta wait till after the kids're born though...
Galvatron: Not to snuggle. *slightly sheepish grin. He still gets funny looks for trying that with his own mate*
Sideswipe: *blink, oh yeah. Small grin*
Galvatron: *small shooing gesture* Go on. Have a good night.
Sideswipe: Night... *heading towards quarters now*
Columba: *softly* Things are so different here.
Sideswipe: In what way? *starting to worry again*
Columba: Where I come from we're made for the mechs, and we take care of them. But we don't get to claim them. And... I don't think we ever kiss them.
Sideswipe: *small frown* That doesn't sound like it'd be a very good place to live...
Columba: *surprised look up at him* It doesn't?
Sideswipe: Not to me, it doesn't.... then again, in this reality, mechs and femmes are equals...
Columba: What does that mean?
Sideswipe: Basically, femmes can do whatever jobs they please... and they can choose their mates freely....
Columba: *considers* That seems so strange to me. *looks up again* We're created to be a gift for the mechs. And a mech without a femme is only half a bot. They are the fighters, but we are their guns.
Sideswipe: Like the time Wheeljack blew himself up and you turned into that gorgeous rifle?
Columba: *nods* Though I had to adapt, because you're small.
Sideswipe: ...Heeeeey. *pout*
Columba: *surprised look* What's wrong?
Sideswipe: Showtime 'n Cho're small... I'm not....
Columba: *brows raising with understanding* You saw my creator that day you found me.
Sideswipe: Seekers tend to be bigger than Frontliners.
Columba: Where I come from all mechs are Seekers. Or bigger, if they have more than one alt mode. That's all I meant, Sideswipe. I didn't want to offend you. *optics darken slightly with sadness*
Sideswipe: *Acks and fusses, didn't mean to make Columba feel bad!*
Columba: *as they reach the door of Sideswipe and his family's quarters* Shhhhh. *gentle nuzzle and purring as she seeks instinctively to comfort*
Sideswipe: *slight wibble, before he gets the door open and carries Columba to the berth*
Columba: *gentle hand to the wibble, and then she kisses his cheek*
Sideswipe: *trying to figure out how to get both Columba and himself onto the berth*
Columba: *looks up, and then gives a wriggle and slips onto it before sitting up and lifting the edge of a massive sheet of knitted material* :o
Sideswipe: *scrambles onto the berth, will try and wrap Columba in the blanket* No clue where Sunny 'n Show got this... prolly from the Nexus...
Columba: *wants him in the wrapping too, so he's easier to reach!* What is it? It doesn't feel like a tarp.
Sideswipe: *covers himself with the rest of the blanket and snuggles close to Columba* A blanket... I think Show said it was an afghan or something like that... it's made out of some kind of extruded plastic fiber that's been manipulated to make this...
Columba: It's soft. *smiles her small smile as she fingers the blanket, then turns her attention back to him, glad to see that the unhappiness is gone. Smile widens as her optics meet his*
Sideswipe: *small smile, holds Columba close*
Columba: *lays her head on his chest with a sigh, her arm tucking around behind him to rub his shoulder so that she can hear the happy song of his spark*
Sideswipe: *happy to cuddle, lets out a contented sigh. For now, the rest of the world is far away, and that's just fine by him*
((co-written with random_xtras))