[FoF] Scars of Yesterday 5/????

[dracoqueen22]

Scars of Yesterday
Chapter Five

Soundwave did not like the human vehicles.

He despised the way they smelled, the way they moved, and the attack of wind against his face without the additional sensation of it beneath his wings. He could not get his bearings while aboard. The world moved too fast for his haze of a vision, and he had to rely on his siblings more so than usual.

He would have preferred to fly home on his own, but he was unwilling to leave Sideswipe and Sunstreaker alone. He would have sent Laserbeak ahead, to reassure Buzzsaw and Rumble, but she refused to leave them either. He'd had to settle for sending Ravage, long before the humans and their caravan of trucks were ready to depart with the Kaon flock and their rescuees.

Ravage would get home first. He didn't have to worry about the restriction of roads.

They were divided among three trucks. Soundwave had Frenzy and Laserbeak tucked against him, Frenzy dozing under his arm, and Laserbeak snoozing across his lap. Curled up across from him, the twins were tangled together, nearly indistinguishable save for their differing feather colors -- according to Laserbeak.

Megatron and Rodimus were in the lead truck -- driven by Mikaela -- the back window open so they could converse through it. Mirage and the new arrival Skids rode with them, the latter of whom only regained consciousness in fits and bursts. Whatever drug the humans had given him had a lingering effect. They would need Ratchet to ascertain his health.

Then again, they would need Ratchet to look after all of their new arrivals. Soundwave expected a fight when it came to introducing Ratchet to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

Drift had taken the last truck with Lockdown, and looked after the last of the rescued harpies, who went by the name of Vortex. He was built like a smol, but something in his demeanor suggested he was a bara. Or perhaps he was neither. Soundwave could not place his origins either, and Vortex had been cagey about his birthflock.

As cagey as he’d been about his name. Soundwave suspected it was not the name he’d been given at hatching. More research would have be done.

Detective Banes assured them her people would complete a thorough investigation. With any luck, they’d be able to trace the harpies bought and sold through that particular facility. Perhaps they might learn where the rescued harpies had come from. Perhaps they’d be able to find other traffickers, and put an end to them.

Soundwave would not hold his breath.

The smell of the vehicles nauseated him. The steady rumble and bump of the roads worsened it. Soundwave closed his eyes and tried to meditate to pass the time, keeping an ear on the twins.

It was late afternoon when the trucks rumbled to the edge of space before grassland prevented them from getting any closer. Soundwave boosted Laserbeak up to a shoulder and was about to tuck Frenzy under his arm, but Frenzy woke up on his own.

“I can walk, bro,” he grumbled with the evident embarrassment of a hatchling who spent too much time being coddled by their carrier. Frenzy was not a morning person.

“Walk near,” Soundwave said.

“We should take them, brother,” Laserbeak said as she whispered directions, and Frenzy tapped the vehicle to help Soundwave dismount from it. “They should come with us.”

“Their future will be decided by Megatron,” Soundwave said.

“Where?” Sideswipe’s voice rose from the truckbed, and Soundwave watched the spikes of curiosity and trepidation rise from their bodies.

They unfurled from one another, Sunstreaker pushing Sideswipe behind himself with a protective rumble. Sideswipe sighed, but didn’t protest. It must have been a common occurrence.

“Home!” Laserbeak chirped as she wriggled on Soundwave’s shoulder. “Safe!”

Soundwave doubted either of them believed her. They seemed the sort to trust slowly, if at all. Soundwave could not blame their hesitation. Given their behavior, he wondered if they had ever actually lived among their own kind.

He suspected there was a more frightening answer: they’d been given to the humans as hatchlings, not long after they were born and revealed to be twins. Stupid superstitions.

“I’m going to go see Rum!” Frenzy declared, and before Soundwave could grab him, Frenzy took off toward the aerie.

Well, he was safe enough here. Soundwave did not have to keep such a close watch on him anymore. On his shoulder, Laserbeak giggled and said, “He’s with Ratchet!”

“I know!” Frenzy called back. His injuries would not hold him back, but at least he would be with the healer when they caught up to him.

Soundwave focused on Sideswipe and Sunstreaker once more, uncertainty and determination flying off them in waves.

"Come," Soundwave said, gesturing for them to disembark from the truck.

"What now?" Sideswipe asked, though it was Sunstreaker who dropped down first, still attempting to keep himself between Sideswipe and anyone else.

"Now you meet Ratchet, and we find you a guardian," Soundwave answered.

The two drew closer together, their energies melding into one spike of unease.

"Who Ratchet?" Sunstreaker demanded.

"He's a healer. He's the best!" Laserbeak said with a little kick of her feet. She crossed one leg over the other. "I promise he's nice, even if he's grumpy. He'll make sure you don't hurt anymore."

Soundwave sensed the flurry of relief and excitement before anything else. He turned to acknowledge the new arrival just as Laserbeak started hopping on his shoulder.

"Buzz! Buzz! Look what we found!" she chirped and took off, launching from Soundwave's shoulder into the air.

Soundwave tracked them as bright bursts of affection sprang between them, and they flitted around one another in happy greetings, Laserbeak more energetic than her more dour brother.

"You're safe. That's what I care about," Buzzsaw said.

Laserbeak giggled.

Surprise spiked in Soundwave's periphery. He turned his attention back to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, who huddled together, the curiosity emanating from both of them.

"Two," Sideswipe said.

"Two?" Sunstreaker echoed, sounding more like a question.

"Twins," Soundwave said, and gestured to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, before gesturing upward to the flitting duo. "Twins. Two. Same."

"Isn't it amazing?" Laserbeak chirped as she dropped down onto Soundwave's left shoulder, threading her talons through his feathermane.

Buzzsaw was a bit gentler as he settled on Soundwave's other shoulder. "Rumble is awake, says Ratchet. He's going to be fine."

"Thank you, Buzzsaw."

Buzzsaw huffed and picked at one of the feathers on Soundwave's shoulder. "You brought more kin. That's good. But they're scared. I can smell it."

"There was a time you were scared as well," Soundwave reminded him. He reached up, gently running a finger over Buzzsaw's crown. "Your sister wants to help them."

"Sister is helpful," Buzzsaw grumbled, simultaneously hunkering down and tilting his head into Soundwave's caress. "But I'll agree."

Soundwave made a noise of approval, and bent his attention upon their newest set of twins once more. "Come," he said, gesturing to them. "You will be safe."

He read the indecision swirling around them in dark waves as much as he read the determined burst in Sideswipe as he took a step forward, past his twin. Sunstreaker made a sound of protest, but he kept to his brother's back as if they were still one.

"Lead the way," Sideswipe said, with forced cheer in his voice.

"He's smiling," Buzzsaw murmured, just low enough for Soundwave to hear. "It's not sincere. He's afraid."

"They need time, brother. We must make them feel welcome," Laserbeak said.

"Hmph."

Soundwave started toward the aerie, listening for Sideswipe and Sunstreaker following. It took a moment, but their footsteps crept in his wake, caution emanating from them in jagged spikes.

“Megatron approaches,” Laserbeak murmured. “He has Rodimus with him. Roddy’s not himself, brother. Perhaps I will visit him later.”

“Wait,” Soundwave replied, only loud enough for her to hear. “Let Liege take care first.”

“Of course.”

“Soundwave.”

Soundwave paused, and heard Sideswipe and Sunstreaker pause as well, as though they’d been matching their footsteps to his. Soundwave half-turned to acknowledge Megatron, the gray cloud of anger and sadness far darker than the small, meek ripple of lingering fear and pain tucked under his arm.

"Take them to Ratchet first. We will meet later this afternoon. Take some time with Rumble."

Soundwave nodded to acknowledge. Megatron would need time to comfort his consort, of course.

"Thank you, Soundwave," Rodimus murmured, the meekest Soundwave had ever heard the usually vivacious smol, who was so entangled with Megatron it was hard to distinguish their masses.

"Rodimus is family," Soundwave said, for it was as simple as that.

"Rodimus is smiling," Laserbeak murmured, her voice warm.

Megatron steered his consort away, but their stumbling walk only lasted as long as it took for Megatron to sweep Rodimus into his arms, an action which would have usually set Rodimus off into peals of delighted laughter.

This time, he only burrowed into Megatron's chest and shivered. Soundwave's core ached, as much as the anger burned within him anew. He took little comfort in knowing the humans responsible had been slaughtered.

There would always be other humans.

"Trailbreaker, Bulkhead, and Roadbuster came to help with the injured," Buzzsaw said as they started walking again. "Ravage said they'd be needed for the new arrivals."

Vortex and Skids were in little condition to walk, Soundwave had noticed. Ravage had made a good call.

"Don't touch him!"

Sunstreaker's snarl made Soundwave turn abruptly, nearly tossing Laserbeak and Buzzsaw from his shoulders. Laserbeak yelped and clung tighter; Buzzsaw launched with an exasperated huff.

"I'm going back to Rum!" he called down before flitting off.

"Trailbreaker!" Laserbeak informed him with a hiss.

Anger and panic spiked from Sunstreaker, while exasperation and a touch of fear wreathed Sideswipe's head. Trailbreaker, nearby, was a rippling melange of confusion and apology.

"The red one is limping," he said, contrite to his core. "I only intended to help. I'm sorry for startling you."

Soundwave put himself between Trailbreaker and the twins, not because he didn't trust Trailbreaker, but because he wanted Sideswipe and Sunstreaker to understand they would be safe.

"Assist Drift," Soundwave said, upon Laserbeak's whispered recommendation. "Thank you for the offer."

"Sure thing, Soundwave."

He felt the weight of Trailbreaker's curious regard, but the large bara radiated affability and didn't take offense. He jogged off to assist Drift, and Soundwave turned back toward the twins.

"You are limping?" he asked.

"Yes," Laserbeak said as Sideswipe hurriedly said, "No."

Weakness, Soundwave imagined, were not things that could be held in their captivity.

"He's hurt," Laserbeak insisted and scooted closer to murmur. "His injuries are recent. The past week maybe. Mirage said they were fighters, remember, brother?"

"I recall." Soundwave frowned behind the safety of his mask. He straightened to address the two, Sunstreaker shuffling protectively in front of his brother. "Ratchet's clinic is on the third level. It is quite the walk. I would spare you the pain if you'd allow me to carry you."

"No," Sideswipe said, firm, despite the pain growing in larger waves radiating from him, but Sunstreaker's hesitation flickered around his body in little orange curls.

"Sunstreaker could be convinced," Laserbeak whispered. "He's protective."

They whispered to each other, their language an amalgamation of the human speech, various harpy languages, and something Soundwave didn't recognize.

"Carry him," Sunstreaker said, even though Sideswipe hissed at him, "No!"

"Yes," Sunstreaker insisted and said something else, something fierce and urgent, swirls of affection and worry flowing around him. "Please."

Sideswipe's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine." He trudged a few steps closer to Soundwave, limping indeed now that Soundwave could see him better. "Carry."

Laserbeak giggled.

Sideswipe was much lighter than he should have been. He was only a head shorter than Soundwave, but his bones felt thin and brittle in Soundwave's arms. He needed several meals. He needed to regain lost mass. He needed comfort and nurturing.

Soundwave’s core ached. He wanted so badly to offer both twins the care they had been missing.

Sideswipe tucked in against his chest, one hand curled against himself, the other carding through Soundwave's feathers. "Pretty," he murmured.

"Soundwave is very pretty," Laserbeak agreed.

"Hush," Soundwave said.

Sideswipe chuckled, and it was a sweet sound. The first indication he’d relaxed a little around them. Sunstreaker loitered nearby, close enough to reach out and touch Sideswipe’s shoulder and elbow. Soundwave felt the heat of his warning glare, and had no doubt Sunstreaker would attack if he thought his brother was threatened.

Something to keep in mind.

They moved into the aerie proper, ducking through the wide doorway draped with tendrils of drying moss.

Laserbeak played tour-guide, and something in her cheerful voice seemed to reassure them. Sideswipe tangibly relaxed in Soundwave's arms, and Sunstreaker's aggression calmed, replaced by a sense of awe.

It occurred to Soundwave they had probably never seen so many living, free harpies in one space.

"This is the ground floor. We have meetings and celebrations down here. It's common space," Laserbeak chattered as Soundwave headed for the inner ramp. They probably understood only half of what she was saying, but that didn't seem to matter.

"We have hot springs so you can take a nice, hot bath! We'll show you later after Ratchet takes a look at you. Ratchet's nice."

"Bath?" Sunstreaker echoed.

Laserbeak swung her feet. "A hot one! You can soak in it for as long as you want, and it never gets cold."

Sideswipe snorted a laugh in Soundwave's arms. "Sunny loves baths," he murmured.

"Then we'll get him one!" Laserbeak said.

"Shut up, Sideswipe."

Laserbeak giggled.

Soundwave ducked onto the narrower ramp, and Sunstreaker matched him step for step.

"The kitchens are on this level. You can eat whenever you want, but we have flock-wide mealtimes, too. There are some private nests here as well, but make sure you ask before you go in those."

Soundwave listened, affection growing in his spark, though a bit of worry rose at the edges of it. Laserbeak was already attached to them, and it was only growing by the minute. If they chose not to stay, she would be devastated.

It would break her core.

But if there was anyone who could reassure and convince them Kaon would make a great home, it was Laserbeak. She had the sweetest soul of anyone in Kaon.

"The second floor has the learning halls and the weaving room and more residences. We teach all kinds of things to anyone who wants to learn, and we're even going to start teaching how to read and talk like a human! I'm going to take that course."

Soundwave tilted his head toward his youngest sibling. "That is news to me, flitterling. When did you decide this?"

"Yesterday," she chirped and pecked him on the cheek. "Someday we might meet more like Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. I want to be able to talk to them better."

"That's a good idea, Laserbeak. I'm happy for you." Soundwave turned and pressed his cheek to her face.

He was indeed happy for her. Laserbeak, like Buzzsaw, hadn't found something that really sparked her interest yet. If she wanted to pursue a path of diplomacy or language, he would support her no matter what.

Laserbeak promptly preened. "Maybe I can become the official tour guide then," she said with an excited wiggle.

"Good job so far," Sideswipe said.

Laserbeak's happiness burst like radiant sunlight on Soundwave's shoulder. "We're coming up on the third floor now! It has the daycare and the medical rooms and the apothecary and the shops."

Sideswipe chuckled very quietly, and the tiniest bloom of affection and amusement unfurled from his core. Soundwave was unsurprised. There were very few Laserbeak had not managed to charm.

He ducked into the hospital with Sunstreaker on his heels, now half-hiding behind him as if using Soundwave for a shield, while Sideswipe tucked himself further into Soundwave's chest.

"Ratchet!" Laserbeak called, as Soundwave found the reception area to be empty, though he smelled fresh ink and parchment. Ratchet must have been out here recently. "We brought patients!"

"Yes, you keep bringing me patients," a voice called out from the back before Ratchet stepped into view, brimming with concern and an undercurrent of anger, perhaps aimed toward humans. "And who are these new arrivals?"

"Sideswipe and Sunstreaker," Laserbeak answered as she alit from Soundwave's shoulder and landed on Ratchet's instead. "They're twins!"

"Are they now?"

"Yes. I'm pretty sure."

"Their comprehension is a mix of the human languages and some of the harpy dialects," Soundwave answered. "I bear Sideswipe. Sunstreaker is behind me."

Ratchet sighed. "Well, if they're twins, I'll room them together. Come on then. The double's free."

"He's big," Sunstreaker muttered, a flicker of unease rising in a gloom around him.

"Yep! But very sweet and gentle!" Laserbeak called back, having the finest ears of them all. "Watch out for the edge of the desk, brother."

Her warning hadn't been needed. Sunstreaker touched his elbow, and Soundwave automatically shifted to the right, avoiding a minor collision with the desk. Perhaps if Ratchet didn't insist on moving it constantly, he wouldn't have to readjust its placement in his spatial awareness.

"Thank you," Soundwave murmured.

"Yeah, well, don't drop Sideswipe," Sunstreaker replied, but he couldn't hide how pleased he was beneath the gruff tone.

"Where's Rumble? I want to see him."

"I sent him home, Laserbeak. He's with your brothers."

"What? Really? He's okay?"

"He's just fine. He's pretty sturdy, you know."

"I'm going to go see him!"

Laserbeak took off, fluttering by Soundwave in a flurry, which was a little surprising. His siblings rarely liked to leave him on his own, Laserbeak especially.

Ratchet stopped in front of a room, holding the curtain aside, and gestured for Soundwave to precede him. He ducked in, Sunstreaker edging in around his other side, opposite of Ratchet. There was a larger cot here, padded with blankets and pillows, and Soundwave gently rested Sideswipe on it. He was unsurprised when Sunstreaker immediately joined his twin, the two of them winding together into an indistinguishable mass.

"Sunny, that's my hip," Sideswipe grumbled, but he allowed Sunstreaker to wrap around him.

"You'll be safe," Soundwave said, once they finally settled. "Ratchet will look after you. He will heal your hurts. You can rest and recover. Eat. Sleep. Whatever you wish."

Ratchet followed Soundwave in. "I can see already that you're bleeding, Sideswipe. If you'd like, I can look at it, and bind your wound, and give you something for the pain."

"Don't hurt him," Sunstreaker growled.

Ratchet crouched near the bed, far enough way to give them ease, but close enough to put himself on their level. "I would not. It may sting to clean the wound, but I promise nothing more than that."

There was a moment of tense silence before Sunstreaker finally bit out, "Fine."

"Thank you for your trust." Ratchet stood then. "Soundwave, a moment?"

"Of course."

He stepped out with Ratchet, aware that the twins watched him leave, their twined forms giving off an air of trepidation.

"Do you need me to stay?" Soundwave asked.

"No. They're not the first traumatized younglings I've taken care of. Sadly, they won't be the last." Ratchet folded his arms, a ripple of age-old frustration radiating from around here. "Starscream's back. Let Megatron know if you could. Apparently, he was with his human friend. He showed up the same evening you all tromped off."

Soundwave nodded. "Anything else?"

Ratchet sighed and scrubbed his face. "Tell me they're dead."

"As many as we found, yes."

"Good." Ratchet lowered his hand. "Tell Megatron I want to see Rodimus once he's done cuddling. You going to be all right getting back to your nest?"

"Yes." It wouldn't be the first time. There were a few places in the aerie Soundwave could get back to on memory alone, and his nest was one of them. He'd send Buzzsaw to deliver Ratchet's messages, however.

Ratchet clapped him on the shoulder. "They'll be fine. They're in good hands."

"Am I that obvious?"

"Only a little."

Soundwave excused himself and made his way to his nest, much slower than he usually would. It was a little after midday, and the walkways had more pedestrians as a result. His reduced sight wasn't a secret, but it didn't come in the welcome packet either. Not everyone knew to give him space.

He hadn't gotten far, however, before the familiar rapid flap of his youngest sibling preceded Buzzsaw's arrival. He all but threw himself at Soundwave's chest before rapidly scaling to perch on his shoulder and tug on his ear.

"There you are," he chattered, sounding out of breath. "Come on. She's gone mad, Soundwave. You have to stop her!"

Soundwave blinked behind his visor. He detached his mask and let it swing, freeing his mouth. "What in the world are you talking about?"

"Laserbeak!"

By Adaptus, what had she done now?

"She says we have to share a nook now, and she's making Rumble and Frenzy share, too. She's making Ravage move furniture, and rearrange the whole nest!" Buzzsaw squawked, and his feathers ruffled up around him, like an angry feline.

There was truly only one harpy who could ruffle Buzzsaw like none other, and it was his sister.

"I told her not to because then you wouldn't able to find your way around, and she told me you'd just learn it again because this was important, and then she told me I had to get more blankets and kicked me out!" Buzzsaw huffed and hunched on Soundwave's shoulder, his taloned feet curling and plucking. "I came to find you instead."

More blankets? Making space? Rearranging?

Understanding dawned.

"I will talk to her," Soundwave said. He would clear this up.

He headed post-haste toward his nest, conveniently on the same level, and heard the noise long before he sensed anything amiss. The shifting of furniture, the creaking of woven branches, the muttered complaints of his younger siblings, all floated out from behind the drawn curtain.

Soundwave swept it aside and stepped in.

"Watch out for the--"

Soundwave tripped and abruptly caught himself by grabbing the nearby wall.

"--footstool," Buzzsaw finished with a gusty sigh. "See? I told you. She's gone crazy. Who puts a footstool in front of the door?"

"It's only there temporarily, Buzzsaw!" Laserbeak replied in an indignant tone from somewhere around Soundwave's feet. "Just until I can figure out where else to put it. Did you get my blankets?"

"I'm out of here!" Buzzsaw took off from Soundwave's shoulder and flew out the door before the curtain could swing back shut.

"Get back here!"

Soundwave sighed and crouched, finding the little bundle of excitement and determination flaring bright in front of him. "Laserbeak, what are you doing?"

"Making room!" She grinned up at him. "I figure if we combine some of our nooks and move stuff around, we have plenty of room for a pallet big enough for them."

Yes. It was exactly as Soundwave had presumed.

"I want them to have somewhere nice to come. Somewhere warm and safe, just like you did for me and Buzz," Laserbeak continued, and her fingers started to tangle together, a lingering sign of anxiety.

Soundwave gently placed his hand over her twisting fingers. "You have a big core, flitterling, but they may not come to live with us."

"Why not?"

"Because they might choose to leave, or stay on their own, or Liege might decide they are better with someone else," Soundwave gently explained.

Laserbeak's fingers curled around his hand and squeezed. "They have to come with us. We're the only ones who understand. We're family." Her tone turned pleading. "You'll tell them, won't you, Soundwave? You'll tell them we want them here and tell Megatron they belong with us. Right?"

"I will do my best," Soundwave said. "But you know I will never promise something I can't guarantee."

"I know." Laserbeak's voice sounded small, and Soundwave hated to crush even a tiny spark of her enthusiasm. "But it's going to work out. You'll see."

Soundwave kissed her forehead, his core swelling with love. He'd never made a better decision than bringing these little ones into his life.

"You are probably right, flittering. As usual. So what do we need to do next?"

Laserbeak beamed. "Help me find somewhere for the footstool."

"Yes, dear."

****