[TF] Family Found 03/10

[dracoqueen22]

Universe: Transformers, Escort AU, All This and Heaven Too
Characters: Sunstreaker/Starscream, Rodimus, Sideswipe, Wrench
Rated: M
Warnings: lost siblings, reunited family, hard choices, angst, bdsm themes, humiliation kink slightly
Description: Sunstreaker didn’t understand why he felt so drawn to Sideswipe, until a mistake revealed the link between them, provoking a turn of events which will change everything.

Family Found
Part Two

Sunstreaker came home to a dark suite, a bit unusual given the early hour, but perhaps Starscream had a long shift. Or perhaps he wasn't home at all and had been hired for the evening.

He checked the posted schedule, and frowned. Starscream hadn't worked a shift on the floor, and his last client had been Nightshade, hours ago. Nightshade wasn't one to tire him out. Starscream liked Nightshade.

Sunstreaker clicked on the small desk lamp, sending a pale light through the room. There was a lump on the window seat, half-hidden behind a drape of blanket, and now that he was listening closely, he heard the soft snuffles of Starscream's vents.

He sighed. Of course Stascream had fallen asleep in the window. He was going to wake with a kink in his neck if he didn't shift to a berth, then he'd be irate in the morning.

Sunstreaker reached out with his field, gently touching the resting state of Starscream's. He didn't feel distressed or ill. That was reassuring. His ailerons fluttered in his recharge, impossibly adorable. Sleep tended to smooth out the worry in Starscream's face, making him appear younger.

Sunstreaker piddled around for a moment, rearranging some things, picking up a few pieces of clutter Starscream had left lying around. He was tired, but not the encompassing fatigue he was used to. It was unusual. It was worrisome.

Perhaps Wrench's friend would have an answer.

Starscream didn't stir, despite his tidying. Sunstreaker sighed again and stepped lightly toward Starscream. He took a moment to debate before he slipped his arms around Starscream's frame, lifting him up from the seat. Starscream stirred as he did so, optical shutters fluttering.

"Sunny?"

"You fell asleep in the window again," Sunstreaker pointed out as he moved Starscream to his berth, only absently noting that it caused him little strain to do so.

"Did I?" Starscream sounded sleepy, and Sunstreaker nuzzled him before he could stop himself.

Starscream purred and curled a hand around his head, palm stroking the side of Sunstreaker's intake. "You're back late."

"I'm back on time. You knocked out early," Sunstreaker corrected with a little chuckle. He took Starscream to his berth since it was closer, lowering his Seeker onto it. "Long day?"

"Mm." Starscream snuggled down into the covers, but before Sunstreaker could pull back, snagged his wrist. "Come 'ere. Missed you."

Sunstreaker's spark squeezed, flush with warmth. He climbed into the berth and immediately found himself with a blanket of snuggly Seeker. "Sideswipe is a demanding client."

"I noticed." There was a chill in Starscream's voice, but at least it wasn't aimed at Sunstreaker. "He pays good at least."

"Yeah." Sunstreaker tilted his head against Starscream's and stroked his hands down the Seeker's back, gently petting his wings. "He wants another session tomorrow."

Starscream tensed against him. "Again? You haven't taken a day off though. Why don't you refuse him?"

Sunstreaker cycled a ventilation. "I find it difficult to do so." It wasn't that he couldn't, it was that he didn't want to. Sideswipe looked up at him, imploring, and Sunstreaker's will crumbled. He wanted to give Sideswipe whatever he wanted, and it felt good to do so.

He didn't tell Starscream any of that. He wasn't sure how his Seeker would take it.

"He's not forcing you, is he?" Starscream pushed himself up, concern flashing in his optics.

Sunstreaker shook his head and cupped Starscream by the back of his neck, urging him back down into repose. "No. He's a good client. I enjoy our sessions."

Starscream resisted. "I enjoy Nightshade and Blurr and Bluestreak, too, but I don't give them all of my client slots." His jaw set. "Have you had any other clients lately?"

Sunstreaker opened his mouth, only to close it again, his forehead crinkling in consideration. Now that he thought about it. "No," he admitted. "But I haven't needed to. With Sideswipe's patronage, I've earned more than enough."

"Then you can take a fragging day off," Starscream snapped. He squirmed, as if trying to escape from Sunstreaker's hold, and Sunstreaker let him.

Starscream scrambled to put space between them, armor vibrating, his optics a hot flash. "Are you that angry at me you're putting in this petty distance?"

"Now you're just imagining things," Sunstreaker said, rolling his optics. "I'm embracing an opportunity. Sideswipe pays a lot. I enjoy our sessions. It has nothing to do with you."

Starscream glared at him for a long moment before he clambered over Sunstreaker and crawled out of the berth.

"Starscream," Sunstreaker sighed and rubbed his face.

The Seeker stormed across the room and threw himself into his own berth. It was a reaction that seemed over the top for a little disagreement, but there was an unsettled edge to Starscream's field. Something else was bothering him.

"I'm going to recharge," Starscream declared, twisting until his back was to Sunstreaker with all the affront of an offended turbokit.

Sunstreaker scrubbed both hands down his face. "It's one more session," he said, into the dim silence. "And then I'll take a rest day or two." He paused, nibbled on his bottom lip. "An overnight session granted but--"

"Overnight?" Starscream hissed, and if it had been any longer, it would have been a shriek. "You don't do overnights. They aren't an option in your contracts!"

"Yes, but Sideswipe asked--"

"And you said yes," Starscream finished for him, and there was something dark, something hurt in his voice. He lurched out of the tangle of berthsheets and his optics were narrow, crimson slits.

Sunstreaker sat up as well, anger beginning to stir in his spark. He felt he were being accused of something that he didn't deserve. "Sideswipe is a client, Starscream." He stressed the term.

"And I'm just your fragging roommate." Starscream shoved to his feet, stomping away from his berth. "Thank you for making that perfectly clear."

Sunstreaker swung his legs over the side of the berth, intending to slip down from it. "That's not at all what I said."

"You didn't have to," Starscream spat. He jabbed the code into the lock and the door flung open as if heeding the swirl of agitation in his field. He stormed out before Sunstreaker could say anything else.

He didn't give chase.

It wasn't the first time they'd argued. It seemed like all they were doing as of late was arguing. Usually about petty things. Usually about nothing.

Sunstreaker flopped back into the berth, shuttering his optics. His denta ground together, his spark swirling a mess of confusion. He had no idea what was going on in Starscream's head lately, and since they weren't talking, he wasn't getting answers either. As best he could figure, Starscream was angry with him and pushing him away.

It was so damn frustrating.

His comm pinged.

Sunstreaker answered without looking at the sender. "What?"

"Wanna tell me why I have a sulking jet in my berth?" Rodimus. Where else would Starscream go but to his favorite, snuggly project?

Sunstreaker sighed and slid fully onto the berth. If Starscream was with Rodimus, he wasn't coming back to the room tonight.

"Why don't you ask him?"

"Yeah. Tried that. He's not talking." Rodimus sounded somehow both fond and exasperated. "You two are driving me crazy, you know that. Have you ever considered actually talking to each other."

"No. The thought never crossed my mind," Sunstreaker growled, irritated.

Rodimus sent a blat of static through the comm. "I'm too tired to be deal with your slag tonight. Both of you. I had Blurr earlier because Starscream couldn't be found. I just don't have the energy right now."

"Consider it a compliment that Blurr accepted you as an alternative."

"My aching bits would suggest otherwise."

Sunstreaker barked a laugh before he could stop himself. He had to admit, the little brat was growing on him. Without the shadow of Turmoil hanging over his head, Rodimus was a lot more lively. Had a bit of a mouth on him, and Sunstreaker considered that maybe Starscream's assessment was accurate. There was more Dom in Rodimus than anyone thought.

"You can't tell me the pay wasn't worth it."

"Oh, it was worth it," Rodimus said with a snort. "But I still need my rest. And maybe some ice for my spike."

Sunstreaker grinned despite himself.

"In the meantime, I've got a Seeker draped over me who hasn't stopped whining since he stormed into my room, waking both of my roommates."

Just like that, the levity was gone. "It's complicated," Sunstreaker sighed.

"Then uncomplicate it," Rodimus bit out. "It's not funny anymore."

Click.

What was wrong with the universe when someone like Rodimus saw fit to talk to Sunstreaker like that? And without an ounce of fear. Was Sunstreaker losing his touch?

He sighed and slung an arm over his optics.

Or maybe he was losing his mind.

~

Starscream did not come back in the morning. Or the afternoon. Or before Sunstreaker was set to meet Sideswipe for their overnight session. If Sunstreaker had any hopes of talking to Starscream, they were quickly dashed.

Maybe it was for the best.

~

"Tell him."

Starscream ignored Rodimus for the third time that morning, focusing instead on helping Rodimus get cleaned up and detailed from his excursion with Blurr the day before. True to form, Blurr had left Rodimus covered in streaks of blue paint. He could be quite enthusiastic.

Starscream would have to apologize for not being available. Though to be fair, Blurr hadn't scheduled a session. It must have been a spontaneous decision when he couldn't reach one of his numerous lovers.

Starscream had never met anyone with as high of an interface drive as Blurr. And yet, Blurr had intimated other Racers were worse. It must have been a high-performance engine trait.

Rodimus' engine revved. "Stop ignoring me," he growled. "If you're going to come into my berth in the middle of the night, I at least deserve the courtesy of a conversation."

"Then next time I'll find elsewhere to recharge," Starscream replied.

Rodimus abruptly twisted away from him, leaving a streak of filler on his lower back. He whipped around to glare at Starscream. "Don't try to manipulate me like that," he snapped. "You're welcome to crash with me anytime you want, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit here and watch you be a coward."

Starscream pressed his lips together. He looked down, busying himself with dipping the brush in the paint to keep it damp. "I need to fix your paint," he said.

"Frag my paint!" Rodimus jabbed him in the shoulder. "What the frag is the matter with you two? Seriously. I've never seen two mechs more in love in my entire functioning, and I've never seen two mechs pretend they have no idea about it."

"That is none of your business," Starscream bit out, optics narrowed.

"You've made it my business," Rodimus retorted, rolling his optics. "I don't get either of you. Why don't you just tell him? It's obvious how much he loves you. Why don't you just admit it and be together and be stupidly in love like we all know you want to be."

"Because it doesn't work like that." Starscream snapped the cap on the paint and rose from the bench, agitation making his wings flick. "It's not that simple. Not with the kind of life we lead."

Rodimus threw his hands in the air. "That doesn't make any sense. If you want it, just go for it! You already know how it works. It's not like you're trying to get with a norm."

"You don't understand," Starscream retorted. He grabbed a mesh cloth dampened with solvent and started wiping at his hands. His shaking hands, he noticed. Damn it.

"Why?"

"Because he won't leave!" Starscream snapped, and his spark surged with an aching hurt. His ventilations roared. He threw the cloth on the ground. "He won't leave, not for me. And I won't stay."

Rodimus frowned. "You don't know that."

"Yes, I do."

"Have you even asked him?"

"What's the point?" He bent over, swept the cloth from the ground, exhausted in the wake of Rodimus' pressure. "It's not going to make a difference."

Rodimus closed the distance between them, putting his hands over Starscream's. "You know I just want you to be happy, right?" he said, voice impossibly gentle. "Sunstreaker loves you. And you already know you love him. Why does it have to be more complicated than that?"

"Because it does." Starscream eased his hand free of Rodimus' and cupped the younger mech by the back of his head. He leaned up, pressing a kiss to Rodimus' forehead. "Thank you for trying. But stop. Please."

Indecision flickered fast and sharp in Rodimus' field. "Fine," he said with an audible, gusty sigh. "Will you finish fixing my paint then?"

"Of course." Starscream patted him on the cheek and turned around, scooping up the filler supplies. "Sit back down. Change the subject."

Rodimus muttered something Starscream didn't catch and dropped down into the bench with all the grace of a sulking Dweller. "Okay," he said. "Then help me find Drift a lover."

Starscream blinked. "Not what I expected," he began. He popped the lid of the filler and swirled the brush around. "But go on."

Rodimus leaned forward, hands braced on the bench to give Starscream better access to his lower back. "That ship has sailed for us, but you know, I still want him to be happy. And I can tell he's lonely right now. He put a lot of his focus into bringing Turmoil down, and now he's just kind of... drifting. Heh."

Idiot. Adorable. But still an idiot.

"And you think having a lover will fix that?"

"Well, it couldn't hurt," Rodimus said with a twitch of his spoiler.

Starscream rolled his optics. "He doesn't need the complications of a romantic entanglement. He needs a new direction for his life. He needs to figure out what he wants from life first. Did you ask him what he wanted?"

"Of course I did. I know how to have a conversation, unlike some people I know."

Starscream pinched his hinges in retaliation at the aside.

Rodimus hissed. "That's rude." He vented and leaned back forward. "Anyway, he says he didn't know. He's never really thought about it."

"Hmm." Starscream finished the mark on Rodimus' back -- including the extra smear he'd made -- and tapped Rodimus on the shoulder to get him to turn. "He should think about it then."

"Duh." Rodimus spun to face him, grinning. "But if we could help him and if you have any ideas..." He wiggled his optical ridges. "It's just a thought."

Starscream tweaked his nose and Rodimus batted his hand away. "Why are you making that sound dirty? I thought you weren't interested in his berth anymore?"

"I'm not." He tipped his head up at Starscream's direction, so Starscream could attend to the bite marks on his intake. Blurr had a thing about intakes. "But that doesn't mean I haven't noticed how pretty he is now." He paused and smirked. "Deadlock wasn't as pretty. He was just pointy."

Starscream chuckled. "Yes, he's quite pretty now." He leaned back, critiquing his work. It wasn't as good as Sunstreaker's, but it would work. "Thank you, by the way, for assisting Blurr. I'm sorry I wasn't available."

Rodimus shrugged. "I like Blurr. He's fun. He said he's going to engage me again." He grinned and winked. "I'm just that irresistible." He watched Starscream put away the touch-up kit. "Why were you busy anyway? You didn't have a client. I checked."

Starscream went silent for a moment while he debated whether or not he'd tell Rodimus about Nightshade's offer.

"Star?"

He cycled a ventilation. "I needed to think," he said. "I... had an unexpected conversation with Nightshade."

"About?"

Starscream worked his jaw and then grabbed Rodimus, pulling the mech into his arms with an audible squeak from Rodimus. "He made me an offer."

"Wait." Rodimus went still, but didn't try to break free of the hug. "Not that kind of offer, right? The kind any one of us in here would jump on in a moment's notice?"

"Yes. That kind."

"Wow."

"Something like that." Starscream sighed again, indecision swirling and twirling inside of him. "The offer is more than generous, and allows for more freedom than I have even working here. But..."

"You'd have to leave Sunstreaker and you don't want to do that," Rodimus finished for him.

Was he that transparent? Both Nightshade and Rodimus could pinpoint his reservations at a glance. He needed to shield his emotions better.

"Yeah, okay, I see why you needed to think. What are you going to tell him?" Rodimus asked.

Starscream offlined his optics and rested his forehead on Rodimus' shoulder. "I don't know."

He honestly didn't know.

***