Spark Deep -- Chapter 7: Unexpected
Title: Chapter 7: Unexpected
Rating: K+
Continuity: AU G1
Chapter 7: Unexpected
The orns steadily grew into cycles, which grew into groons, which, eventually, turned into a vorn.
As the time passed, Bluestreak settled into life in the manor. He spent the nights sleeping or watching the crowd in the party room and the days reading to the wolf-mech Twins or talking with Mirage, Hound, and/or Trailbreaker. Mirage's carrier protocols were still activated. They had driven Bluestreak crazy at first, but he had quickly become accustomed to the way the blue and white mech acted around him. Though the constant pampering did, on occasion, get on his nerves.
Hound was as cheerful and fun as ever, and the gray mech would often spend joors talking with him.
Trailbreaker, the mech who seemed to constantly be on guard at the door, had become what Bluestreak would consider a friend on a night when the gray mech had once again been simply wandering the manor. He had somehow ended up at the door, and finding someone who wasn't scared of him because he was a guest, a “master,” had been a relief. They, too, spent joors talking, though Trailbreaker never left his post at the door.
As for Bluestreak's relationship with the Twins... It had changed drastically in the vorn since the gray mech had arrived.
Every morning, when he went to go read to them, they had wormed their way closer to him, until, eventually, they were able to cuddle up next to him without any flinches warning them away. Bluestreak was still occasionally overcome by a bout of nervousness around them, but he allowed them to touch, and touched in return, much to the Twins' excitement, and those fleeting moments of fear were increasingly infrequent.
But he was still uneasy. He still felt as though he wasn't quite fitting, that something was missing, and he just didn't know what.
Despite that, though, and the fact that he had come here unwillingly, he was... happy. Content. He had everything he could ever want; a comfortable berth, good company, good energon, a warm place to stay. The Twins had told him that, should he wish it, he could go to the next town over for a time, as long as he told them, took an escort, and came back within three orns.
He never took them up on that offer. There was no reason for him to go, and, as he had decided before, he was happy where he was.
Even now, as he stared out his window at the dense crystal forests, thinking of home, he knew that, had he the chance to choose between going home and staying here, he would have a very difficult time of it.
“Blue?” a soft voice called, and he turned around, leaning out of the window seat to look over at the door. Sunstreaker. Even now, they always waited for him to invite them in.
“Come on in, Sunstreaker.”
The yellow mech moved slowly into the room, pede steps quiet on the soft, fluffy carpet. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. I was just thinking.”
“Care to share?”
Bluestreak shrugged. “Just thinking of ho... my old home. Smokescreen. Prowl.”
“You miss them.”
The gray mech turned to face the yellow. Sunstreaker had a strange expression on his face, a sort of world-weary resignation. “Is that wrong of me?”
Sunstreaker just shook his helm, venting as he slowly lowered himself to sit on the couch. “We can... if you want... invite them here?”
Bluestreak blinked, doorwings twitching happily upward, and a bright light filled his optics. “Really?”
“Why should we not? I... I believe they live close enough to visit.”
“I would like that. I'd like it a lot! Thank you, Sunstreaker.”
The yellow mech smiled faintly. “Do you wish to compose a letter? I can send Hound out with it before the sun rises.”
“I... Okay. That's a good idea!”
A moment later, he had a datapad in hand and was scribbling away, Sunstreaker watching him thoughtfully. Breems before he finished, Sideswipe walked into the room and sat down next to his brother.
When his stylus finally lifted from the screen, he looked up and smiled at the Twins. “Thank you. I... I never expected any... any of this, at all, when Smokescreen first... told me... I... Thank you.”
Sideswipe shook his helm, and Sunstreaker snorted. “Thanks go to you, Blue,” the red Twin said, smirking. “You gave us more than we could ever ask for. You're... You've actually given us a chance. You've... We...”
“What my idiot brother is trying to say, is that you gave us a chance to care, and we... do.”
“Huh?” Hadn't they already covered this?
“Care. We care,” Sideswipe said, glancing down at the floor.
“I... Oh.” That was all Bluestreak could say. He knew, deep in his spark, that he cared too. But it was a rather sudden announcement, that the chance had developed past that, and he really didn't know how to respond. After a long, awkward silence, the gray mech lifted the datapad. “Should... Should I give this to Hound?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. I... Thank you.”
And then he was out the door, running down to the party room, where he knew Hound would be helping some of the other servants clean. The datapad exchanged hands, and the green mech left the manor, waving cheerily to Trailbreaker and Bluestreak as he walked down the road.
Soon after that, the sun rose. The gray mech spent the day wandering the manor, followed occasionally by one of the Twins, though they mostly remained hidden through the day, as the servants, for the most part, were scared of the massive wolf-mechs.
Hound returned as the sun was setting, Smokescreen in his wake.
Bluestreak ran down the stairs and out the door, and, after pausing for a moment, flung himself into Smokescreen's arms.
“Smokey,” he said, finally pulling away, a wide grin on his face. “It's so good to see you! How have you been? Is Prowl back? What's happened?”
“Blue, slow down, let me get a word in! And Primus, it's good to see you...”
“Oh, I know...”
Bluestreak tightened his grasp again, tucking his helm under Smokescreen's chin.
Then the blue and red Praxian stiffened, and Bluestreak pulled away. “What? What is it?”
Then he turned around. The Twins were standing just outside the door, small, soft smiles on their faces.
“You,” Smokescreen rumbled, maneuvering Bluestreak behind him, the blue and red mech standing resolutely in front of his cousin.
“Us?” Sideswipe replied, tilting his helm slightly to the side.
“You... you took him away!” the blue and red Praxian snarled, stalking forward.
Bluestreak remained frozen for a moment. Then he lunged forward, clutching at his cousin's arm. “Smokey, stop!”
“They-”
“No! Smokescreen! Stop! Stop!”
Smokescreen stopped, though he continued glaring at the Twins. “What is going on, Bluestreak?”
“They... They're nice. I... don't do anything to them. They take care of me.”
“I was taking care of you!”
“Smokescreen!”
“What!”
The older Praxian turned his glare on Bluestreak. Bluestreak glared right back.
For a second, they held each others' gazes. Then Smokescreen blinked. This wasn't like the gray mech. He was usually so timid... He never held an angry gaze, yet, now, he was standing, defiantly, unyielding, in front of him... “What... Blue?”
“Don't hurt them. Don't... Just be nice, okay?”
“I... I...”
“They're good mechs. Trust me. Please, Smokescreen.”
The blue and red mech hissed out a long vent. “What's happened here, Blue?”
The gray mech smiled faintly, glancing over at the red and yellow Twins waiting for them. “A lot of things, Smokey. But... I like it here.”
“You...” Another long vent, and Smokescreen looked from his cousin to the mechs who held his contract. “I... Fine.”
“Smokescreen, welcome back,” Sideswipe said, all courteous manners and sly smile. Sunstreaker rolled his optics and slapped his brother on the back of the helm.
“Shut it, Sides. Smokescreen, welcome, again, to Sunside Manor. It is good to finally meet you. I apologize for my behavior on your previous... visit.”
“... Accepted.”
“Please,” Sideswipe said, grin still wide and smug, “come in. The party is due to start in a joor or so, so we have some quiet time to talk.”
Smokescreen nodded stiffly and followed the Twins inside, casting sideways glances at Bluestreak all the while. The gray mech looked slightly nervous, but... Smokescreen was startled when he realized that nervousness was not directed at all at the Twins, or the house, or the servants he could see peeking out at them from the doors. No, it was directed at him. Bluestreak was comfortable here, and he, the mech's own cousin, was making him uncomfortable.
Smokescreen's doorwings drooped slightly, and he stopped, reaching for Bluestreak's arm.
The gray mech twitched when the blue hand closed around him, but stopped and turned to his cousin.
“Blue... I don't want you to be nervous around me. I just... I...”
“You blame yourself for losing him,” a deep voice interrupted, and Smokescreen jumped. The Twins had stopped as well, and had turned to face the two Praxians.
Smokescreen fought off the urge to reprimand them for listening in on a private conversation. “I... Yeah. I’m...”
“You shouldn't. I cheat.”
“You- What?”
Sideswipe grinned unrepentantly. “I cheat. And... I was going to give the contract back, but... I... We...”
“Smokes? Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and I have talked,” Bluestreak said, forcing a little smile. “We're good. I... Don't blame yourself. This was for the best. I’m happy here.”
Smokescreen just frowned. There was a long silence, then Sideswipe bowed slightly and swept his hand toward the party room. “Energon?”
Huffing, the visiting Praxian stomped into the room. Bluestreak followed, pausing momentarily to smile sadly at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker as he passed.
Smokescreen and Bluestreak sat down at one of the tables as the Lords of the manor walked behind the bar to get energon.
“So...” the gray mech started, “Have you talked to Prowl at all?”
“Yes, I have actually... He said he's found a home. I... He was very displeased with me.”
Bluestreak smiled. “Yes, I can imagine why. Is he going to come soon?”
“Yeah,” Smokescreen said, venting and slouching down. “I passed on your message. He's on his way now.”
The smile on the gray mech's face widened, and his doorwings fluttered happily. “I can't wait to see him! Did he mention where he went?”
“Only mentioned this new home is in Iacon. I’m... not sure how I feel about that.”
“Iacon,” Sideswipe interrupted as he set down cubes in front of the two Praxians. “Isn't that that city by the Rust Sea?”
“The one with the draken?”
Smokescreen nodded. “Yes. I’m... Yeah.”
“Wow. Brave mech.”
Bluestreak smiled. “He is.”
The conversation continued in much this manner; the Twins and Bluestreak asking after the outside world, and Smokescreen somewhat nervously and awkwardly sharing what he knew. Then people started appearing, and music started throbbing, and Sideswipe grinned evilly.
“Come on, Smokey! I’ll play you for real, this time. No cheating, and any credits either of us win, we give back?”
Smokescreen stared at the red Twin, somewhat alarmed, and Bluestreak chuckled. “Go, Smokey. Have fun. If Sides promises he won't cheat, he won't.”
Slowly, hesitantly, the blue and red Praxian stood and followed his host over to one of the card tables, while Sunstreaker and Bluestreak wandered over to the bar. The night passed in a blur of moving mechs and warm energon, and soon, the guests were gone.
Smokescreen and Sideswipe were still playing. The Praxian had loosened up a bit after a couple rounds, and was now laughing as he played, completely sober save for the incoherence caused by exhaustion.
Sunstreaker and Bluestreak sat down at the table, watching as cards and credit-chips changed hands, adding to the friendly banter flying back and forth.
Then Sideswipe and Sunstreaker hunched over, shudders running through their plating. Bluestreak froze, and Smokescreen scowled worriedly.
“Lord Sideswipe...?” he started, then jumped as Bluestreak shot up and tugged at his arm.
“Smokey, come on, we don't- you don't- this isn't something you should see.” Bluestreak had asked to see the transformation once, and had not asked again. It was just as painful as the Twins' expressions indicated, and so strange looking and sickening to watch. He didn't want to see it again, and he knew it would be a very bad idea for Smokescreen to witness it.
The scowl deepened. “What's going on, Blue?”
“I'll explain later! We need to-”
A low moan filled the room, and Sideswipe toppled off the chair. Sunstreaker was curled over the table, vents coming ragged and uneven. Bluestreak took a shuddering invent of his own. “Smokescreen, we need to leave. Now.”
“What-? Bluestreak, what is going on?!”
“Move! Now!” the gray mech snarled, shoving his cousin toward the door. Stunned at Bluestreak's forwardness, Smokescreen stumbled in the direction his cousin was pushing him.
They made it out of the room just as one of the Twins howled, and Smokescreen turned with wide optics to stare at the closed doors. Then he turned to his cousin.
“Bluestreak. What the frag?”
The gray mech, who was slumped against the wall outside the door, closed his optics tightly, doorwings twitching against the hard wall. “I... Smokey, they're cursed. I... They just wanted a friend. That's why they kept me. But-”
The door swung open to reveal the two wolf-mechs, and Smokescreen took a couple hurried steps back. Bluestreak immediately moved to stand between the Twins and his cousin. “Smokey, look, I-”
“What the... the... Bluestreak, you're coming home! This isn't- I won't-”
A low, rolling growl rumbled from the Twins, and Smokescreen's armor shook.
“Blue, I- You...” the blue and red Praxian stuttered. Then he turned and fled, rushing past Trailbreaker, through the door, and down the road. He was gone in kliks.
Bluestreak stared forlornly after him. Sideswipe whimpered as he pressed up against the mech's side. Sunstreaker sat down close to his other side, their fields easily entwining.
::Th-that went well-l-l.::
Bluestreak just looked down at Sideswipe, expression sad. Sideswipe looked back up at him, and he knew the jest had only been because this was Sideswipe, and that was how he dealt with sad or disappointing things; by joking. A gray hand slowly came to rest on the red wolf-mech's helm, and Sideswipe leaned into the touch, whining.
::S-sorry,:: Sunstreaker commed, leaning, like his Twin, closer to the gray mech.
“It's okay. It's not your fault,” Bluestreak murmured, letting his other hand trace over Sunstreaker's helm fins. Both Twins pressed closer into his touch, and together, they stared out into the forest.
Rating: K+
Continuity: AU G1
Chapter 7: Unexpected
The orns steadily grew into cycles, which grew into groons, which, eventually, turned into a vorn.
As the time passed, Bluestreak settled into life in the manor. He spent the nights sleeping or watching the crowd in the party room and the days reading to the wolf-mech Twins or talking with Mirage, Hound, and/or Trailbreaker. Mirage's carrier protocols were still activated. They had driven Bluestreak crazy at first, but he had quickly become accustomed to the way the blue and white mech acted around him. Though the constant pampering did, on occasion, get on his nerves.
Hound was as cheerful and fun as ever, and the gray mech would often spend joors talking with him.
Trailbreaker, the mech who seemed to constantly be on guard at the door, had become what Bluestreak would consider a friend on a night when the gray mech had once again been simply wandering the manor. He had somehow ended up at the door, and finding someone who wasn't scared of him because he was a guest, a “master,” had been a relief. They, too, spent joors talking, though Trailbreaker never left his post at the door.
As for Bluestreak's relationship with the Twins... It had changed drastically in the vorn since the gray mech had arrived.
Every morning, when he went to go read to them, they had wormed their way closer to him, until, eventually, they were able to cuddle up next to him without any flinches warning them away. Bluestreak was still occasionally overcome by a bout of nervousness around them, but he allowed them to touch, and touched in return, much to the Twins' excitement, and those fleeting moments of fear were increasingly infrequent.
But he was still uneasy. He still felt as though he wasn't quite fitting, that something was missing, and he just didn't know what.
Despite that, though, and the fact that he had come here unwillingly, he was... happy. Content. He had everything he could ever want; a comfortable berth, good company, good energon, a warm place to stay. The Twins had told him that, should he wish it, he could go to the next town over for a time, as long as he told them, took an escort, and came back within three orns.
He never took them up on that offer. There was no reason for him to go, and, as he had decided before, he was happy where he was.
Even now, as he stared out his window at the dense crystal forests, thinking of home, he knew that, had he the chance to choose between going home and staying here, he would have a very difficult time of it.
“Blue?” a soft voice called, and he turned around, leaning out of the window seat to look over at the door. Sunstreaker. Even now, they always waited for him to invite them in.
“Come on in, Sunstreaker.”
The yellow mech moved slowly into the room, pede steps quiet on the soft, fluffy carpet. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. I was just thinking.”
“Care to share?”
Bluestreak shrugged. “Just thinking of ho... my old home. Smokescreen. Prowl.”
“You miss them.”
The gray mech turned to face the yellow. Sunstreaker had a strange expression on his face, a sort of world-weary resignation. “Is that wrong of me?”
Sunstreaker just shook his helm, venting as he slowly lowered himself to sit on the couch. “We can... if you want... invite them here?”
Bluestreak blinked, doorwings twitching happily upward, and a bright light filled his optics. “Really?”
“Why should we not? I... I believe they live close enough to visit.”
“I would like that. I'd like it a lot! Thank you, Sunstreaker.”
The yellow mech smiled faintly. “Do you wish to compose a letter? I can send Hound out with it before the sun rises.”
“I... Okay. That's a good idea!”
A moment later, he had a datapad in hand and was scribbling away, Sunstreaker watching him thoughtfully. Breems before he finished, Sideswipe walked into the room and sat down next to his brother.
When his stylus finally lifted from the screen, he looked up and smiled at the Twins. “Thank you. I... I never expected any... any of this, at all, when Smokescreen first... told me... I... Thank you.”
Sideswipe shook his helm, and Sunstreaker snorted. “Thanks go to you, Blue,” the red Twin said, smirking. “You gave us more than we could ever ask for. You're... You've actually given us a chance. You've... We...”
“What my idiot brother is trying to say, is that you gave us a chance to care, and we... do.”
“Huh?” Hadn't they already covered this?
“Care. We care,” Sideswipe said, glancing down at the floor.
“I... Oh.” That was all Bluestreak could say. He knew, deep in his spark, that he cared too. But it was a rather sudden announcement, that the chance had developed past that, and he really didn't know how to respond. After a long, awkward silence, the gray mech lifted the datapad. “Should... Should I give this to Hound?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. I... Thank you.”
And then he was out the door, running down to the party room, where he knew Hound would be helping some of the other servants clean. The datapad exchanged hands, and the green mech left the manor, waving cheerily to Trailbreaker and Bluestreak as he walked down the road.
Soon after that, the sun rose. The gray mech spent the day wandering the manor, followed occasionally by one of the Twins, though they mostly remained hidden through the day, as the servants, for the most part, were scared of the massive wolf-mechs.
Hound returned as the sun was setting, Smokescreen in his wake.
Bluestreak ran down the stairs and out the door, and, after pausing for a moment, flung himself into Smokescreen's arms.
“Smokey,” he said, finally pulling away, a wide grin on his face. “It's so good to see you! How have you been? Is Prowl back? What's happened?”
“Blue, slow down, let me get a word in! And Primus, it's good to see you...”
“Oh, I know...”
Bluestreak tightened his grasp again, tucking his helm under Smokescreen's chin.
Then the blue and red Praxian stiffened, and Bluestreak pulled away. “What? What is it?”
Then he turned around. The Twins were standing just outside the door, small, soft smiles on their faces.
“You,” Smokescreen rumbled, maneuvering Bluestreak behind him, the blue and red mech standing resolutely in front of his cousin.
“Us?” Sideswipe replied, tilting his helm slightly to the side.
“You... you took him away!” the blue and red Praxian snarled, stalking forward.
Bluestreak remained frozen for a moment. Then he lunged forward, clutching at his cousin's arm. “Smokey, stop!”
“They-”
“No! Smokescreen! Stop! Stop!”
Smokescreen stopped, though he continued glaring at the Twins. “What is going on, Bluestreak?”
“They... They're nice. I... don't do anything to them. They take care of me.”
“I was taking care of you!”
“Smokescreen!”
“What!”
The older Praxian turned his glare on Bluestreak. Bluestreak glared right back.
For a second, they held each others' gazes. Then Smokescreen blinked. This wasn't like the gray mech. He was usually so timid... He never held an angry gaze, yet, now, he was standing, defiantly, unyielding, in front of him... “What... Blue?”
“Don't hurt them. Don't... Just be nice, okay?”
“I... I...”
“They're good mechs. Trust me. Please, Smokescreen.”
The blue and red mech hissed out a long vent. “What's happened here, Blue?”
The gray mech smiled faintly, glancing over at the red and yellow Twins waiting for them. “A lot of things, Smokey. But... I like it here.”
“You...” Another long vent, and Smokescreen looked from his cousin to the mechs who held his contract. “I... Fine.”
“Smokescreen, welcome back,” Sideswipe said, all courteous manners and sly smile. Sunstreaker rolled his optics and slapped his brother on the back of the helm.
“Shut it, Sides. Smokescreen, welcome, again, to Sunside Manor. It is good to finally meet you. I apologize for my behavior on your previous... visit.”
“... Accepted.”
“Please,” Sideswipe said, grin still wide and smug, “come in. The party is due to start in a joor or so, so we have some quiet time to talk.”
Smokescreen nodded stiffly and followed the Twins inside, casting sideways glances at Bluestreak all the while. The gray mech looked slightly nervous, but... Smokescreen was startled when he realized that nervousness was not directed at all at the Twins, or the house, or the servants he could see peeking out at them from the doors. No, it was directed at him. Bluestreak was comfortable here, and he, the mech's own cousin, was making him uncomfortable.
Smokescreen's doorwings drooped slightly, and he stopped, reaching for Bluestreak's arm.
The gray mech twitched when the blue hand closed around him, but stopped and turned to his cousin.
“Blue... I don't want you to be nervous around me. I just... I...”
“You blame yourself for losing him,” a deep voice interrupted, and Smokescreen jumped. The Twins had stopped as well, and had turned to face the two Praxians.
Smokescreen fought off the urge to reprimand them for listening in on a private conversation. “I... Yeah. I’m...”
“You shouldn't. I cheat.”
“You- What?”
Sideswipe grinned unrepentantly. “I cheat. And... I was going to give the contract back, but... I... We...”
“Smokes? Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and I have talked,” Bluestreak said, forcing a little smile. “We're good. I... Don't blame yourself. This was for the best. I’m happy here.”
Smokescreen just frowned. There was a long silence, then Sideswipe bowed slightly and swept his hand toward the party room. “Energon?”
Huffing, the visiting Praxian stomped into the room. Bluestreak followed, pausing momentarily to smile sadly at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker as he passed.
Smokescreen and Bluestreak sat down at one of the tables as the Lords of the manor walked behind the bar to get energon.
“So...” the gray mech started, “Have you talked to Prowl at all?”
“Yes, I have actually... He said he's found a home. I... He was very displeased with me.”
Bluestreak smiled. “Yes, I can imagine why. Is he going to come soon?”
“Yeah,” Smokescreen said, venting and slouching down. “I passed on your message. He's on his way now.”
The smile on the gray mech's face widened, and his doorwings fluttered happily. “I can't wait to see him! Did he mention where he went?”
“Only mentioned this new home is in Iacon. I’m... not sure how I feel about that.”
“Iacon,” Sideswipe interrupted as he set down cubes in front of the two Praxians. “Isn't that that city by the Rust Sea?”
“The one with the draken?”
Smokescreen nodded. “Yes. I’m... Yeah.”
“Wow. Brave mech.”
Bluestreak smiled. “He is.”
The conversation continued in much this manner; the Twins and Bluestreak asking after the outside world, and Smokescreen somewhat nervously and awkwardly sharing what he knew. Then people started appearing, and music started throbbing, and Sideswipe grinned evilly.
“Come on, Smokey! I’ll play you for real, this time. No cheating, and any credits either of us win, we give back?”
Smokescreen stared at the red Twin, somewhat alarmed, and Bluestreak chuckled. “Go, Smokey. Have fun. If Sides promises he won't cheat, he won't.”
Slowly, hesitantly, the blue and red Praxian stood and followed his host over to one of the card tables, while Sunstreaker and Bluestreak wandered over to the bar. The night passed in a blur of moving mechs and warm energon, and soon, the guests were gone.
Smokescreen and Sideswipe were still playing. The Praxian had loosened up a bit after a couple rounds, and was now laughing as he played, completely sober save for the incoherence caused by exhaustion.
Sunstreaker and Bluestreak sat down at the table, watching as cards and credit-chips changed hands, adding to the friendly banter flying back and forth.
Then Sideswipe and Sunstreaker hunched over, shudders running through their plating. Bluestreak froze, and Smokescreen scowled worriedly.
“Lord Sideswipe...?” he started, then jumped as Bluestreak shot up and tugged at his arm.
“Smokey, come on, we don't- you don't- this isn't something you should see.” Bluestreak had asked to see the transformation once, and had not asked again. It was just as painful as the Twins' expressions indicated, and so strange looking and sickening to watch. He didn't want to see it again, and he knew it would be a very bad idea for Smokescreen to witness it.
The scowl deepened. “What's going on, Blue?”
“I'll explain later! We need to-”
A low moan filled the room, and Sideswipe toppled off the chair. Sunstreaker was curled over the table, vents coming ragged and uneven. Bluestreak took a shuddering invent of his own. “Smokescreen, we need to leave. Now.”
“What-? Bluestreak, what is going on?!”
“Move! Now!” the gray mech snarled, shoving his cousin toward the door. Stunned at Bluestreak's forwardness, Smokescreen stumbled in the direction his cousin was pushing him.
They made it out of the room just as one of the Twins howled, and Smokescreen turned with wide optics to stare at the closed doors. Then he turned to his cousin.
“Bluestreak. What the frag?”
The gray mech, who was slumped against the wall outside the door, closed his optics tightly, doorwings twitching against the hard wall. “I... Smokey, they're cursed. I... They just wanted a friend. That's why they kept me. But-”
The door swung open to reveal the two wolf-mechs, and Smokescreen took a couple hurried steps back. Bluestreak immediately moved to stand between the Twins and his cousin. “Smokey, look, I-”
“What the... the... Bluestreak, you're coming home! This isn't- I won't-”
A low, rolling growl rumbled from the Twins, and Smokescreen's armor shook.
“Blue, I- You...” the blue and red Praxian stuttered. Then he turned and fled, rushing past Trailbreaker, through the door, and down the road. He was gone in kliks.
Bluestreak stared forlornly after him. Sideswipe whimpered as he pressed up against the mech's side. Sunstreaker sat down close to his other side, their fields easily entwining.
::Th-that went well-l-l.::
Bluestreak just looked down at Sideswipe, expression sad. Sideswipe looked back up at him, and he knew the jest had only been because this was Sideswipe, and that was how he dealt with sad or disappointing things; by joking. A gray hand slowly came to rest on the red wolf-mech's helm, and Sideswipe leaned into the touch, whining.
::S-sorry,:: Sunstreaker commed, leaning, like his Twin, closer to the gray mech.
“It's okay. It's not your fault,” Bluestreak murmured, letting his other hand trace over Sunstreaker's helm fins. Both Twins pressed closer into his touch, and together, they stared out into the forest.