[personal profile] ante_luce
Title: Baby Boom (or, Why you should always read the manual first) Chapter 8
'Verse: G1 Transformers
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: TF cussing






Skywarp onlined, his wingmate’s fury singing over their bond, then abruptly dying, replaced by annoyance and a sense of reluctant agreeableness. His confused chirrup brought Sideswipe over in a flash, and just as quickly, he was ensconced in the red frontliner’s arms as the mech tried to puzzle out what had broken the sparkling out of a sound recharge.

“Can’t be hungry… just ate… Flying… have tired… out…” The seekerling tuned out Sideswipe’s concerned muttering (made much easier with vorns of practice with a certain fellow seeker) to work on a puzzle of his own.

That the Lamborghini had been nothing but dedicated to his care had been surprising to all of the sparklings, with the notable exceptions of Prowl and Jazz. Sideswipe put up with all he’d thrown at the mech, from near constant flying tackles every time he clapped optics on the towering red frame, to fussing when the mech was obviously drained and really in need of recharge.

Judicious destruction of the mech’s property would have been next, but he’d been reigned in by the Autobot sparklings, as well as a developing sense that such a course of action would be taking unfair advantage (note that this did not stop him from leaving a few denta marks on a hapless automotive magazine or two).

Starscream and Thundercracker had been apprehensive when he volunteered for ‘testing duty’, despite the efforts of the Autobot sparklings to reassure them. TC in particular was rather vocal about his unease (calling him a thrice glitched idiot with slag for risk assessment programming), while Starscream chose to exhibit his concern by thumping him on the helm and reactivating his warping device, just in case.

But really, who better to aggravate a trigger happy frontliner than the mech who could make an instant getaway at any time?

Not that he’d ever had cause to warp away (in the manner that they’d been concerned about, of course), Sideswipe took care of him, defended him and worried over him like only his trine mates would have, before. Frag, the mech barely raised his voice to Skywarp, at the most issuing a stern admonishment that curiously, affected the teleporter more than any amount of yelling would have.

And now they were moving through the corridors. Skywarp blinked, wondering when that had happened. He’d never have let his guard so far down as to completely lose awareness of his surroundings. He was a seeker, a ‘Con and a teleporter to boot. Not knowing the position of everything and everyone around him could have disastrous consequences.

Clicking contemplatively to himself, Skywarp quickly realised that they were headed for Skyfire’s lab, and just as quickly started to fuss in an attempt to avoid having to see the shuttle.


= = =


Sideswipe eyed his sparkling in worry. First, Skywarp had jolted out recharge for no reason, and then been remarkably quiet as he left the room he shared with his brother. While a part of his processor logically stated that the little mech had probably had a nightmare or something, the growing protective-creator part prodded him into going to Skyfire to check that the seekerling wasn’t suffering from something.

Having a sparkling around was… interesting, to say the least. Sideswipe had never thought he’d be the caretaker sort, had always thought that he only had room in his life for one other, his twin. Caring for the hyperactive, sometimes infuriating bundle of parts that was the seekerling had caused him to start to think otherwise.

Skywarp was a handful, no doubt, getting into all sorts of mischief, giving him not a few cases of near spark failure on many occasions. Thank Primus for Sunstreaker, he didn’t think he could have kept the little mech intact for more than a day if his brother hadn’t been willing to help keep an optic on the baby jet.

That he had so much patience for Skywarp surprised him as much as it did most of the Ark (yes, he wasn’t blind, he could see the amazement on their faceplates, plain as day). Sideswipe supposed it was because he saw something of himself in his little troublemaker.

He and Sunstreaker had run wild on the streets with a pack of younglings, not a creator between them, with no rules to obey and no one to give a damn or count on but each other. And so now, with regulations to follow and a hierarchy to serve, he was always testing the boundaries, poking the Command element just to see what they would do to him.

Once, at a particularly bad moment (having a twin offline in the med bay was never fun), he’d gotten overcharged enough to spill a few details of that long ago time, and to his dismay, he couldn’t remember to who. He’d woken the next day on his berth, with no one seeming to realise he’d even gotten hold of any highgrade the night before. Reviewing his memory banks only made his already fuzzy CPU tender a protest, and Sideswipe had given up there and then. With any luck, they’d think he’d just been joking around. Again.

Frag, he couldn’t even remember the colour of their paint job, just constantly shifting planes of light and shadow and form (Sunstreaker must be filtering through their twin bond again, if he was thinking in such artistic terms), an image that was sometimes doubled (Primus, he must have been really tanked), especially against the obscenely bright orange backdrop that made up much of the Ark.

And, if he was to be truthful, he didn’t think he dared to find out.

Ah, Skywarp had perked up, chirping valiantly in protest as the sparkling seemed to recognise where they were headed, then wriggling about like a worm to escape his grasp, then flopped tiredly against his chestplates, as if in resignation. Sideswiped grinned.

“Oh, suck it up, Skywarp. It’s for your own good. And you’ll get to see Thundercracker, at least. I swear, I will never understand why you object to Skyfire so much.”

A mopey chirrup answered him, and he snickered as he walked onwards to shuttle’s lab.


= = =


Perceptor watched the sparklings, smiling at their antics. Sideswipe had come in with Skywarp, looking for Skyfire after he’d not been able to find the larger mech in his usual haunt. Skywarp had glared at Skyfire the moment the shuttle had come into his line of sight, and practically leapt from Sideswipe’s arms to join his fellow seekers and Wheeljack in the cuddle pile, just in time to smother Starscream's next squawk of protest.

Okay, so he was smiling at the antics of a not-so-sparkling too. They’d reassured the red Lamborghini that Skywarp was perfectly fine (Perceptor had even scanned the sparkling briefly), and that his waking probably had something to do with Starscream’s little tantrum earlier, but the mech still looked concerned. And watching Sideswipe fret, after all the aggravation he dealt out so easily to High Command (and the medical branch, and the minibots, and the research branch, and… well, okay, to everyone) was hilarious.


(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 01:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wereinotmyself.livejournal.com
<- is ded of cute

Seriously I love this! Sideswipe acting all protective and caring, Skywarp leaving marks on the magazines and sulking - it's just the right balance of serious and cute and gives me the warm fuzzies all over!

(Plus the thought of these two when Skywarp gets back to normal... the Ark is doomed!)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 01:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
:D Thanks!

(Oh yes. The Ark mechs are going to have quite the situation on their hands...)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 06:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wereinotmyself.livejournal.com
XD
I can just see it:
"Now sparkling listen closely..."
"Hey! I'm not a sparkling anymore!"
"You'll always be my sparkling! Now be a good mech and listen to your creator. See this is how you hogtie a minibot..."

Cause once they adopt you it's forever *nodnod*
And you just know their going to drive Uncle Sunny nuts ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
*snickerfit* I have a feeling 'Warp won't mind learning that... X3

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 01:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gogglehead84.livejournal.com
Awwww! *squeee*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 01:43 pm (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 03:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cave-cat.livejournal.com
*giggles*

Poor Skywarp. He's really gonna have to forgive Skyfire (as if the big jet could really be blamed anyway :P ) someday. Specially since I'm sure Screamer will be staying with him for a good amount of time once they're adults again.

Is the Jazz chapter next? I look forward to it! As well as how 'Lita is dealing with Optimus and Prowl!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Yeah, Jazz is next ^_^

Skywarp just wants to be difficult, methinks.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 05:54 pm (UTC)
random_xtras: The words Tam I am on a purple background (OOC)
From: [personal profile] random_xtras
*w00ts with appreciation of the Perceptor POV*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:33 am (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 10:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mmouse15.livejournal.com
I loved having this insight into Sideswipe and Skywarp, and Perceptor's bit at the end was sooo funny!

Another wonderful chapter to this story. Makes me feel better today, thank you for the mood lift!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Glad to have been of service ~_~

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-01 10:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] l-shades.livejournal.com
Personally, I can't wait to see Sides' reaction if/when he finds out that the seekerling he's been fretting over wasn't actually as helpless as he thought ;) Awesome stuff here!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Thanks :3

Look! The forecast is only 39deg today!

Date: 2009-02-01 11:33 pm (UTC)
ext_190998: (Default)
From: [identity profile] bookworm-faith.livejournal.com
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
I think I agree with Perceptor. Fretting!Parent!Sideswipe is utterly hilarious. But seriously cute too. Figures the hellion would know how to treat another XD (and lemme guess, he spilled his guts to either Prowl or Jazz, or quite possibly both!) I wonder how he's gonna react when he learns that Skywarp has been acting out quite deliberately!

(and in continuation from elsewhere...)
Prime: Prowl, I wish for Megatron to surrender.
Prowl: *grabs Jazz & shakes him*
Jazz: @~@ dizzy... *visor lights up with magic 8 ball type reading*
Prowl: Hm. "Outcome unfavourable". Unfortunately, we are unable to fulfil this wish at this time. Please try again in another couple of vorns.
*flees both Porsche AND Datsun this time*

*waves pompoms* ^_^

Date: 2009-02-02 11:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
(... quite possibly both ;3 ) Reaction scene is starting to percolate.

*snickerfits*

Prowl: You're more specific this time. Great.
Optimus: Does that mean I get my wish? *hopeful optics*
Prowl: Sorry. Jazz ball says 'no'.

*flees alongside*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 12:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tainry.livejournal.com
Hahahahahah! That classic parental line - Just wait till you have kids of your own!!!
:;snerk!::

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Oh yeah, has my mother ever used it a lot on me. And I'm the good kid in the house ;P

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 01:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] playswithworms.livejournal.com
Awww, concerned papa Sideswipe, he warms the cockles of my soul ^_^ <3

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Motherhen!Sideswipe is at once car accident causing, and adorable.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 02:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kookaburra1701.livejournal.com
Eeee, hee hee!

This is so cute. I love that Sideswipe has automotive magazines. Are they the equivalent of TF pin ups? Does he have to use a magnifying glass to read them? Inquiring minds want to know!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
I think he can adjust his own optics to whatever magnification he wants... You'd have to ask him about the pin up thing though.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 03:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] misao-cg.livejournal.com
Aaaw. n_n Sides is a good daddy: that warms my spark. He looks quite sexy like that. And Sunny is a good uncle too! For some nasty frontliners like the twins, seeing them as caring caretakers, and in Sides' case, as a caring, denmother daddy is surprising but... for some reason, I thinks that that role suits them perfectly.

*O* AND MINI-WARP IS SO ADORABLE!!! *¬* ::bangs head against desk:: SO CUTE I CAN'T CONTAIN MYSELF! The lil' guy is mischief in the flesh (well, in the metal), but SO ADORABLE THAT I WANT TO SQUEEZE HIM IN A BIG HUG!!! *O*

Another sweet, tender chapter. AWESOME! You're awesome. Here, your cookie for this chapter. I'll be looking forward for the Jazz's chapter... and of course, to see how Optimus deal with his "Elita notices Sparkling Prowl in his lap" situation (that explanation would be... interesting).

TAKE CARE!!

MISAO-CG.

PS: o.o At least the sparkling can keep Screamer's tantrums under control... ^-^ Isn't that adorable?? That image make my denta ache. *¬*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Oh yes, Elita's reaction is going to be 'interesting' ^_^

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 10:04 pm (UTC)
ext_18500: My non-fandom OC Oraania. She's crazy. (Default)
From: [identity profile] mimi-sardinia.livejournal.com
I WANT TO SQUEEZE HIM IN A BIG HUG!!!

Well if I recall early chapters correctly, Carly was of exactly the same opinion, and declared the sparkling-ized mechs "cuddle-sized". The Seekers were quite befuddled over the resulting cuddles.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tiamat1972.livejournal.com
Sideswipe, I feel for you! Little Skywarp sounds just like my kids. No rest for the wicked, hmmm?

That said, there are few things sexier than a good looking guy/mech with a baby. If the ladies ever come to visit, the imprintees will get lots of attention. Once the sparklings are napping of course. ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 11:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
*snicker* Otherwise, it'll be the sparklings getting all the attention, hmm?

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 02:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tiamat1972.livejournal.com
Of course. Even Sunstreaker can't compete with a cute little sparkling. Especially Prowl when he glares/pouts.

*runs from sparkling!Prowl*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 02:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
I can see the smug grin on Skywarp(and Jazz, and Starscream)'s face now...

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 10:05 pm (UTC)
ext_18500: My non-fandom OC Oraania. She's crazy. (Default)
From: [identity profile] mimi-sardinia.livejournal.com
Unless the ladies are their respective femme partners.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 10:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tiamat1972.livejournal.com
It'll be attention. ;) Might not be "positive" attention.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 10:14 pm (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 02:20 pm (UTC)
ext_8873: (G1 Bumblebee)
From: [identity profile] darkdanc3r.livejournal.com
*giggle* oh, oh man, I so have to agree with Perceptor. Watching Sideswipe fret is just outrageously funny!!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 02:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
^_^ I thought so too.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-02 07:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] catraven.livejournal.com
Yay! Personally, I've always thought that Sideswipe just needed to be handed some real responsibility. Good to see I'm not the only one.

Great, as usual!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-03 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Thank you :3

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-03 03:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cmdrtekk.livejournal.com
Great little chapter here.

So based on the descriptions offered:

"just constantly shifting planes of light and shadow and form" = how a black and white paint job might translate to truly tanked mech

and

"an image that was sometimes doubled" = two bots not one

Plus all the hints that Prowl and Jazz are not surprised at all by Sideswipe's ability to care/look after/protect the seekerling - - - Leads me to believe that Jazz and Prowl were Sideswipe's conversation companions the night of his binge.

So after all that (and I'm hoping you followed all that); if I am correct and Prowl and Jazz are the answer, I think the way you delivered the information was indeed clever and well done.

Very artistic description of Sideswipe's perception if his drunken experience.

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more of this one.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-03 11:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ante-luce.livejournal.com
Thank you, I'm working on it ^_^

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