[FoF] Scars of Yesterday 7/24

[dracoqueen22]

Scars of Yesterday
Chapter Seven

Soundwave had a headache.

Laserbreak had brought him a pouch of salica, and he’d washed it down with water, but the headache persisted. He blamed the stress of the past twenty-four hours, combined with the miasma of high emotions lingering around the aerie.

Even now, in this very room, emotions were high. Anger. Confusion. Concern. Fear. It spiked and thrummed from every harpy sat around the table. The only source of calm he found was Laserbeak on his shoulder. She vibrated with delight, ready to welcome the new arrivals to their nest.

The swinging doors flung open with a bang, and Soundwave startled as a great mass of relative calm burst into the room.

“It’s Ratchet,” Laserbeak said.

“Am I the last to arrive?” the gruff medic asked with a grunt. “Figures.” He dropped down into a chair with a loud thump. “Let’s get this started. I don’t want to leave my patients alone for too long. Those brothers especially are a flight risk.”

“Ravage is watching them,” Soundwave offered.

Ratchet snorted. “That’s a start, but I already told them they’re free to go if they want. Best not suggest otherwise.”

“Thank you, Ratchet,” said Liege Megatron, and the last of the murmurs and chatter died to nothing, leaving only the simmering tension cloaking the air. “How is their health?”

“About as well as you’d expect for a couple of harpies we rescued from the humans.” Ratchet’s tone turned dour, and the grey cast of anger turned into a rolling storm cloud. “Evidence of battle with other harpies, whipmarks, slash marks, talon marks. They’re malnourished, and don’t speak any one language with any fluency, but from what I can gather, they are intelligent.” He paused, the chair creaked, before he added. “And they’re twins.”

Soundwave tensed, but there were only a few whispers throughout the gathered council.

“That perhaps explains how they found their way into human custody, if they were from one of the more… superstitious aeries,” said Shockwave with evident disgust in his voice. “I can think of several aeries who would rather toss fledges to the wild to die then allow twins among their flock.”

“I am aware of that as well,” said Soundwave as Laserbeak tucked in against his neck, her small body shivering. This, no doubt, brought up uncomfortable memories for her. “They are here now, however, and they will find safety here.”

“What of the others?” Orion asked, perhaps trying to steer the ripple of discomfort into something less volatile. “We rescued… how many?”

“Six were retrieved, though only four returned with us. The other two -- baras from Tesaurus -- refused our offer of sanctuary. They wanted to return home,” said Mirage, and there was a tightness in his voice, matching the brief spike of anger.

Megatron rumbled his own dissatisfaction. “Yes, I seem to recall some choice, unkind words at our offer. They wanted nothing to do with our, what was it, den of heathens?”

“Heathens?” Ratchet echoed, and barked a laugh. “I guess that’s what we are in the eyes of the others. I’ll take heathens over humorless fops any day of the week.”

“What do we know of the perpetrators?” Shockwave asked. “What continued danger do they present to us?”

Megatron sighed, exhaustion hanging around him in a heavy haze. “Very little. Mikaela believes they are but one part of a vast network of illegal slave traders. They specialize in harpies, but have been known to trade in their own kind as well.”

“Monsters,” Sunstorm muttered.

“Indeed,” Megatron agreed. “It will take the humans some time to sift through the evidence they’ve gathered, including all of the paperwork and computer data, but Mikaela assures me we will be kept in the loop, and I trust her to keep her word.”

A quiet blur of dark calm shifted in Soundwave’s peripheral as a harpy stepped forward, hand raised. “I don’t know about you all, but I ain’t interested in putting all my trust in the promises of a human. I got my own actions I wanna take.”

“Do you now?” Megatron asked, and there was warning in his tone. “Then this is a good time, Lockdown, for you to explain yourself.”

Lockdown chuffed. “What do I have to explain?” He spiked with agitation and annoyance, but beneath it all, an unease. “So I got there first, took care of the humans, and rescued the others. Why is that a problem?”

“You slaughtered the humans,” Soundwave said. “It made legalities difficult.”

Lockdown snarled. “If the legal humans were doing their jobs, maybe our kind wouldn’t be slaughtered and sold like slaves in the first place. I don’t give two rips about their legalities.” The last was said with a sneer.

“Perhaps, then, you can grace us with an explanation of what exactly you were doing and how you found the slavers,” Mirage said, his tone polite, but himself radiating distaste for Lockdown.

Lockdown sighed, like a harpy aggrieved. “Fine.”

Laserbeak giggled in Soundwave’s ear. “He just rolled his eyes.”

“Look, Skids is from my old flock, all right?” Lockdown said as he started to pace, back and forth, in front of the window, agitation flicking his feathers. “We started talking a while ago, and I told him about this place, and finally, he said he wanted to come to Kaon. So, I gave him directions, we figured out how long it might take, and I kept an eye out for him.”

Orion interjected into the pause, “Your old flock?”

“Praxus,” Lockdown answered. “I’m the only one here from Praxus, by the way. It’s not a place you easily leave.”

“Why not?” Shockwave asked.

Lockdown waved him off, spiking an unease which churned Soundwave’s stomach. “Long story. Do we have to go into it now or I can finish my first one?”

“Continue,” Megatron said, an exhausted resignation leaking from his voice. “But if you’d like to tell us more of Praxus, we would appreciate it. Especially if others may eventually seek shelter here from your old flock.”

“Fine. Whatever.” Lockdown started to pace again, and Soundwave tracked both his footsteps and the cloud of agitation clinging to him like a bad odor. “Anyway, Skids missed his arrival time, but then he missed it by a week. He was way past time he was supposed to be back, so I went looking, backtracking the route I gave him.”

“That must have taken some time,” Orion observed aloud. “How did we not notice you were missing or that your duties weren’t being covered?”

“Because I’m not stupid. I made sure my responsibilities were covered.” Lockdown ground to a halt and slammed his palms on the table. “I even told Roadbuster what I was doing. It’s not like I completely fragged off. I just didn’t want to ask permission and risk getting turned down.”

Megatron rumbled, but it was Orion who spoke up to say, “I think that is understandable, but I wish you had more faith in us. We would have wanted to help your friend.”

“Sure,” Lockdown drawled. “But I wasn’t gonna take that chance. Besides, I work better on my own, and a week after I went looking, I found him.” Anger cloaked Lockdown then, with echoes of the murderous rage he must have felt. “I found the humans. I watched them. I learned their patterns, and I waited for my chance.”

“You didn’t think to come back for reinforcements?” Shockwave asked.

Lockdown scoffed. “Maybe. For a second. But then I saw them come in with Roddy and Frenzy, and didn’t know if I had enough time for that. I’d seen what they did with the pretty ones.”

“Megatron looks like he wants to kill something,” Laserbeak whispered. “I hope Rodimus is okay.”

“He’s stronger than he looks,” Soundwave murmured, though he couldn’t blame Megatron. He felt a similar rage in the pit of his belly. He couldn’t see what the humans had done to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, but their emotional state spoke enough.

“I’d figured out by then that the best time to strike was at night. There’s a smaller crew, they’re less guarded. It was easy enough for someone like me.” Satisfaction flowed from Lockdown in waves. If he felt any guilt for slaughtering the humans, it didn’t show. “I took ‘em out, one by one, then you guys got there, and you know the rest.” `

Megatron made a contemplative noise. “Indeed we do.”

“Is there a reason for this interrogation or is doing a good deed frowned upon now?” Lockdown demanded as he pushed himself back from the table and stood back, folding his arms. Irritation radiated around him, one of his feet tapping the floor rhythmically.

“You were initially missing at a time of crisis. We wanted to be sure you weren’t involved,” Megatron answered with a quiet sigh. “It wouldn’t be the first time a harpy has turned on their own kind.”

“I’m not like that,” Lockdown snapped.

“So we see,” said Shockwave, and his tone was both gentle and soothing. “You have our thanks, Lockdown.”

“That’s more like it,” Lockdown said, and some of his agitation went away. “Can I go now? I want to check on Skids.”

“He’s awake,” Ratchet offered as he shifted in his chair, discomfort wreathed around his head. Another ache, perhaps. “And judging by the chatter, he could use company interested in talking back.”

Lockdown chuckled. “Yeah, that’s Skids, all right. Thanks for looking after him, Doc.”

“It’s my job.”

“Yes, you may go,” Megatron said, though Soundwave tracked Lockdown’s much jauntier strut toward the door, already on his way out. He’d always been one to squirm under authority.

As the door shut behind Lockdown, the conversation turned back toward the harpies they had rescued.

“Ratchet, could you tell us more about our new additions?” Orion asked.

“What’s there to say?” Ratchet grumbled, shifting in his seat like a fledgling who wanted to be dismissed for playtime. “Vortex makes me uneasy for reasons I can’t explain, but I also doubt he’ll stick around. He refuses to say where he’s from.”

“And no one recognizes him?” Shockwave asked.

“Not all have seen him,” Soundwave offered before anyone else could answer as Laserbeak shuffled on his shoulder and started to pick at her talons -- which she often did when she was bored. Buzzsaw would have preferred to attend the meeting, but Soundwave had wanted to keep Laserbeak’s enthusiasm close, lest she bother the new twins. “Suggest close supervision be kept.”

“Agreed,” Megatron said. “Mirage?”

Soundwave shook his head before the former noble could offer up a word. “Negative. Ravage already assigned.”

“He’s been bored,” Laserbeak sang in his ear with a giggle. “I’ll bet he won’t complain about being bored again.”

“The decision suits me,” Mirage said from his silent perch in the corner. Soundwave had almost forgotten he was present. “Tracks complains if I leave him with the bits for too long.”

The comment was enough to lighten much of the tension in the room. Soundwave breathed easier as quiet laughter eased the weight of the anxiety.

“Well, you do have quite a few of them,” Ratchet pointed out. “And as for Skids, despite his chattiness, I do like him. He seems fairly easygoing, and if Lockdown’s story is to be believed, this was his destination to begin with.”

“Then you think he’ll stay?” asked Sunstorm.

“Perhaps. It also depends on what Lockdown does, I’d guess,” Ratchet said with a visible shrug. He always had an air of boredom around him when it came to these meetings. “Our real challenge comes with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.”

“The twins,” Orion said.

“Yes,” Soundwave said, and he sat up straight, prepared to fully engage. “They are twins.”

“And we all know it’s probably the reason they ended up with the humans in the first place. You know how other flocks feel about twin births.” The distaste in Ratchet’s tone was palpable.

“I never quite understood it,” Shockwave mused aloud, the scientist in him leaking through. “Twins are an accident of birth. For our species, which finds it hard to reproduce, they should be seen as a blessing.”

Ratchet huffed, and his chair creaked as he sat back. “Every flock’s different. For some, it is the risk to the carrier which makes them a curse. For others, it is their relationship.”

“Relationship?” Shockwave echoed.

“Twins mate one another more often than not,” Ratchet clarified, and Soundwave tensed as the realization washed through the room. “Which, from a biological standpoint, is ill-advised. Blood relations should never breed, yet twins seem drawn to mate each other. No one really understands why.”

“None have bothered,” Soundwave said, and he knew his tone was tight, his feathers tense, but this poked at old wounds, old hurts. “They would rather cast them out, leave them to die, rely on superstition and nonsense.”

Laserbeak chirped and nuzzled him. A hand rested on his arm, squeezing warmly, Orion offering comfort as best he was able. One could always count on Orion for a kind word.

“I know this is close to your core, Soundwave,” Megatron said.

“You think you know, but you really can’t,” Laserbeak said, her voice small but confident. “Brother saved us and protected us. He’s the only one who knows.”

Soundwave inclined his head. “Which is why I will take Sunstreaker and Sideswipe under my wing. They’ll need guidance. I offer it.”

“Us, too,” Laserbeak added. “They don’t know anything, not even about themselves. Who better to teach them than us?”

“You have five siblings to care for, Soundwave. Wouldn’t taking on two more be a burden?” Orion asked with a gentle squeeze to Soundwave’s shoulder. “I’m sure there are others who can assist in this. You don’t have to bear this.”

Soundwave shook his head. “No one will be able to understand them.” He looked over the gathered leadership, though they were only smears of shape and emotion. “They are twins. Have any of you met twins before my siblings?”

His throat ached; he rubbed at it. He would handle the pain. This was too important.

Murmurs rippled through the room. The question was rhetorical. He already knew none of them had any experience with twins.

“I’ve only known of them in passing, never personally,” Megatron said after a moment. “All of my education has come from my interactions with you and your family.”

“They don’t fit the textscrolls,” Ratchet said with a sigh. He rubbed at his forehead, the edge of pain creeping back into view, sickly pale yellow. “Frenzy and Rumble... Buzzsaw and Laserbeak, none of them have the near-dependency of most twins. Perhaps because you have other siblings?”

Soundwave breathed in slowly. “Perhaps,” he said. “But we don’t know. Few twins survive to adulthood, and fewer still are studied while living happy and free.” He thought of Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, so intertwined as to be indistinguishable from each other, living in the grasp of the humans with only each other for comfort.

“They had no one but each other. They are dependent on one another.” Soundwave tilted his head against Laserbeak as she cuddled him, quietly crooning comfort into his ear. “They will mate, if they have not already, and then what will you do?”

If they had only accepted Soundwave’s siblings because they weren’t dependent and weren’t mated, would they truly accept twins who would choose one another?

Silence greeted his question.

Soundwave expected it.

Flock Kaon prided itself on being accepting. It welcomed all mating pairs and types. It welcomed those who were damaged or different or hurting. It discriminated against no one. Megatron exiled only those who were determined to be a danger or a threat -- such as Blackshadow – and it was a decision he had not made lightly.

But would these two, these twins, test that flexibility? Would Liege Megatron decide this was where he would draw the line?

"Separating them will only harm them," Soundwave said into the quiet, careful to keep his tone as calm and even as possible. "If you thinking keeping them apart is the answer, it would be kinder to kill them. That is the bond they share."

Contemplation gathered around Megatron, gentle pulses of blue like the ebb and flow of the ocean. "This is Kaon," he murmured. "Who are we to decide for them? They are adults, yes?"

Ratchet sighed, long and weary. "As near as I can tell, they are of adult-age, though given their past, who can say their mental age? Soundwave, however, is right. They are deeply, deeply attached to each other. It would do more harm to separate them."

“They are adults and capable of choosing their own partners,” Megatron said. “They are not bringing harm to one another or to anyone else. I don’t see where it is any of our business.”

“It is not,” Orion agreed, and Soundwave quietly breathed relief. To have Orion’s support meant there would be little, if any, argument. "We cannot judge them, nor can we tell them what is good and proper within the context of their relationship.”

"Their relationship might make others in the flock uneasy," Sunstorm said, though it was audible his hesitation, his attempts to pick and choose his words. "We are Kaon, this is true, but we have all come from other flocks, and brought those prejudices with us."

Megatron rumbled, and there was caution in the rumble. "It takes intent to unlearn the things we were taught. The rest of the flock will keep their opinions to themselves or they can find elsewhere to live."

"We judge none, lest we start judging ourselves," Shockwave murmured, and there was approval radiating from him, as bright as the smile on his face if Soundwave could see it. "I agree. There is no harm in allowing two consenting adults to do as they wish."

"And what if they decide to procreate?" Sunstorm asked. "Will we address that?"

It was Ratchet's turn to rumble. "We can't start deciding that either." He sat up and leaned forward. "I will educate them on the risks of inbreeding so they can make an informed decision, but that is all."

"Agreed," Megatron said. He stood at that moment, his presence radiating throughout the room with the weight of his command. "We are Kaon. We are here because our lives in our previous flocks stifled us for reasons based on prejudice, on control. I don't wish to carry that into this place we've made."

Shockwave spoke up. "I don't think there is anyone here who would disagree, Liege. I, for one, am glad for the freedom and safety you provide us." Love radiated from him then, and he said, "If not for you, for Kaon, I would never have met Orion, or been able to build a life with him."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathered throng.

"Twins are welcome, however their romantic inclinations may lean, so long as all present are willingly engaged," Megatron said. "You are allowed to feel uncomfortable. You are not allowed to disparage them, or treat them badly, or speak ill of them. That is the law of Kaon. Does anyone disagree?"

Soundwave was relieved he felt not so much as a whiff of dissension. Too many were proud of Megatron, thankful to him, and believed in his leadership. There was no fault to be found.

"Good," Megatron said. "To that end, Soundwave -- if you'd like to take Sunstreaker and Sideswipe as your wards, you'll get no argument from me. But do remember, there are others here to help you with this if you need."

Soundwave nodded as Laserbeak thrust her hands into the air and cheered right next to his ear, making it ring. "Understood," Soundwave said, his throat truly raw now. He rubbed it gently, knowing Megatron would understand the gesture.

"Then consider this meeting adjourned," Megatron said, a lightness surrounding him now, relief and pride in his flock circling his head like a halo. "Thank you everyone. Ratchet? A word?"

"If this is about that consort of yours, I intend to see him as soon as you let me," Ratchet grumbled, but he rose from his chair and made his way to Megatron's side. "I can't believe you left him alone."

"He is not alone. He's with Rung," Megatron said, his tone tight, and a touch exasperated. He and Ratchet consistently butted heads.

Soundwave tuned out of their conversation and rose himself, only to stumble a little as a wave of dizziness swept over him. The ache in his head pulsed. A hand caught his elbow, steadying him.

"Are you all right?" Orion asked as Laserbeak chirped concern in his ear.

"He's tired. It's been a long day. And his head hurts," Laserbeak offered as Soundwave gave Orion a reassuring pat on the arm. "I promise he's not being rude, either. His throat's sore. He talked too much."

Orion chuckled. "Thank you, Laserbeak." There was a rustling noise before Soundwave felt something small pressed into his hand. "Here. A lozenge. That should help with your throat."

"That looks like candy to me," Laserbeak said.

"It might be considered to some. Would you like one?" Orion asked.

Laserbeak hummed. "I should probably check it for tastiness so brother doesn't have to. You know, just in case."

Soundwave smiled behind his mask as Orion chuckled. He must have produced another lozenge because Laserbeak wiggled with delight.

"Ooo, these are good," she said around a mouthful. "I taste honey and clove and maple and ginger!"

"Yes, it has all of those things. Good for a sore throat," Orion said. "And also, good for the upset stomach should you ever have such a thing."

"Thank you, Orion." Laserbeak tapped on the edge of Soundwave's mask. "Can we go see the twins now? I want to tell them what I made for them."

Soundwave breathed a sigh. "Yes, flitterling. We can go now." He tipped his head in thanks to Orion, and made his departure.

Luckily, the room had more or less emptied out, and those of Megatron's cabinet had long since learned to push their stools under the table so Soundwave would have fewer obstacles. He unwrapped the lozenge on the way, popping it into his mouth.

It was quite delicious, and it did indeed soothe his throat. He would have to ask Orion for more of them, on the occasion his throat grew irritated again. It would do as a substitute when he didn't have time to fetch tea.

Laserbeak's excitement increased in earnest the closest they got to the hospital. She vibrated with it.

"Peace, flitterling. They may not want to come with us," Soundwave murmured.

"I know, but I think they will. Don't be so negative, Soundwave."

Properly chastised, Soundwave ducked his head, and carried them into the hospital, following Laserbeak's directions to avoid furniture which had once again been rearranged. Ratchet needed a hobby, or a mate, or preferably, both. He had far too much time on his hands.

The curtain to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's room was shut, but Soundwave paused for a moment, listening, and picked up the sound of quiet conversation. They were awake.

Soundwave purposefully rustled the curtain to announce himself before he slipped inside, Laserbeak immediately leaping down from his shoulder to hop, skip, and jump toward them.

"We're back!" she sang, climbing up into a stool to get a better vantage point. "You two look so much better already!"

"Uh, thanks," said Sideswipe. He and his twin were currently entangled on the bed, but were now starting to disentangle and sit up, radiating caution. "What is... uh..."

"What now?" Sunstreaker asked.

"You come home with us!" Laserbeak declared.

Soundwave moved to her side, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "If you want," he clarified as small spikes of alarm rose from the two twins. "You are welcome to stay in Kaon. I offer my nest as refuge to help you get back on your feet."

"What price?" Sideswipe asked, and the darkness around them rippled, suffocating with its fear and tension.

"No price," Laserbeak said. "It's free."

"Nothing's free," said Sunstreaker, an edge of a growl in his voice. "You want us, yeah? That the price?"

Soundwave squeezed Laserbeak's shoulder before she could say anything. He suspected his little flitterling didn't understand what Sideswipe and Sunstreaker implied in their broken attempt at communication. Laserbeak was many things, and Soundwave adored her innocence, but it did her no favors here.

"You are your own," Soundwave said, speaking slowly and carefully. "No price. Nothing. No one will ask or demand. My word, given." He tipped his head in a shallow bow.

"And mine."

Soundwave looked back toward the door as the curtain swished aside, and Megatron entered. His conversation with Ratchet must not have taken too long. He struck quite the imposing presence, so it was no wonder the agitation from the twins doubled in earnest.

"I am Megatron, Liege of this aerie," Megatron said. "That means I am the leader here, and while I have a council, I also make the decisions. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. You are safe here, and you'll find no better guardian than Soundwave."

Soundwave wondered how many of those words translated to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Perhaps they understood enough to match it with Megatron's attempt at a reassuring tone.

Still, Megatron was a large bara. How many like him had the twins faced down in battle, or worse, during a seasonal heat?

“Please,” Laserbeak said, as though she could see them wavering, and was turning on the cuteness to full effect. “We already made room for you and everything.”

“Really?” Sideswipe asked, leaning in closer to her, despite the way Sunstreaker hovered at his back, protective and unmoved. “Already?”

“Yeah!” Laserbeak rocked in place, delight coming from her in waves. “We were so excited to see you and meet you. We made you a private area and everything.”

Sunstreaker visibly softened, his suspicion melting into curiosity. Sideswipe did as well, and delight edged through the anxiety wreathing his body.

Megatron’s mass shifted in Soundwave’s periphery. He looked up at his Liege, caught the bob of Megatron’s head, before the other bara slipped out of the room, the curtain swishing shut behind him.

Perhaps he thought to leave this in Laserbeak’s more than capable hands. There would be time for longer introductions later.

“You can meet my twin, Buzzsaw, and my other brothers. Rumble and Frenzy are twins, and Ravage isn’t, but that’s okay, we love him anyway,” Laserbeak chattered, and with every word she spoke, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker’s suspicions melted away, until they offered only interest and the barest amount of trust.

“You don’t want to stay here anyway,” Laserbeak said with a laugh. “Ratchet worries about his patients so he checks on them a lot, and then he’ll only let you eat vegetables and none of the donuts.”

Sideswipe cocked his head. “What are… donuts?” He fumbled on the unfamiliar word.

Laserbeak hopped in place. “They’re delicious! They are like, um, like bread? But with jelly and fruit and other things inside. I’ll show you!”

Sideswipe chuckled, and the twins shared a look, a murmured conversation passing between them -- the language once again unfamiliar -- before Sideswipe spoke again.

“All right,” he said. “We’ll stay. For a bit.”

Laserbeak cheered and wriggled in place, until Soundwave offered her a hand, and she scampered up to sit on his shoulder, her feet dangling down.

“Follow us. I mean, if you can.”

“I can walk,” Sideswipe said, nudging Sunstreaker.

A spike of irritation rose from Sunstreaker, but he climbed off the bed first, and assisted Sideswipe in doing so as well. Soundwave watched them as best he could, but there was no pain in Sideswipe, only the dull ache of a healing wound.

“He’s still limping,” Laserbeak whispered. “But he really does look a lot better.”

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

"Keep an eye on them. If it seems he'll fall, let me know," Soundwave murmured, hopefully only so Laserbeak could hear.

"Will do!" She swung around Soundwave's shoulder and faced the twins following behind. "Our nest is on this same floor, so you don't have far to go."

Laserbeak chattered, they listened, and Soundwave made his careful way out of the clinic and to his nest, halfway around the circumference of the floor. They passed a few curious harpies, and Soundwave caught the whispered conversations, but no one approached Sideswipe or Sunstreaker, or made a scene.

There would be time for further introductions later.

All was quiet behind the curtain of his nest, which sparked a moment of alarm. Frenzy and Rumble were not known to be quiet, but then, Frenzy was still recovering from his captivity. They were no doubt snuggling in their nook.

Soundwave pinned the curtain back and stepped aside so Sunstreaker and Sideswipe could enter first.

"Welcome to my nest," he said. "And your new home."

"Maybe," said Sunstreaker, but a tiny bead of hope clung to the center of his core, brilliant and untarnished.

They limped inside, Laserbeak alighting from Soundwave's shoulder to follow them in.

"Let me show you around!" she declared happily. "This door goes to Soundwave's nook where he keeps his desk and other important stuff, you probably won't need to go in there. This is our pantry, you can find whatever food you want, and this is the linen nook, where we keep all the extra blankets and stuff."

Soundwave hovered in the doorway, watching the multiple blurs of emotion, Laserbeak a quicksilver smear of bright darting eagerly among them.

"The big nest in the middle is Soundwave's, but sometimes we all share when we're feeling snuggly," Laserbeak continued. "This one over here is Ravage's nook. He doesn't like anyone else to use it. This one is Frenzy and Rumble's nook because they like to share. They're twins like you."

Frenzy and Rumble, indeed curled together in their nook, barely stirred. "You could at least introduce us, 'Beak," said Rumble.

"Maybe later. Tired," said Frenzy, and Soundwave knew he had his face tucked in Rumble's neck, their bodies tightly entwined, with more of Rumble visible than Frenzy, protective as Rumble was right now.

Laserbeak giggled. "Frenzy is red, and Rumble is blue," she explained. "They're twins, too." She paused and delight shone above her head. "Hey, that rhymes!"

Sideswipe chuckled. "Yes, it does. But you? Where do you sleep?"

"Oh! This one's my nook! And Buzzsaw's is right next to mine. See, this is Buzzsaw, he's my twin brother," Laserbeak said, puffing up with pride as she easily scaled the wall and climbed into Buzzsaw's nook next to him. "Say hi, brother."

"Hi, brother," he said, deadpan.

Laserbeak squawked and nudged him with her elbow. "Be nicer!"

"That is nice."

They squabbled, but if anything, their petty argument seemed to calm Sideswipe and Sunstreaker further. They leaned in toward one another still, but the anxiety on their shoulders was gone, replaced with a gentle relaxation which warmed Soundwave's core.

Soundwave moved into the room, stepping carefully around the new furniture arrangement, and gestured to the curtain on the far left. "There is your nook," he said. "We put up a curtain to offer you as much privacy as we can."

"Just for us, huh?" Sideswipe said.

"That's nice," Sunstreaker said.

They parted the curtain, peering into the space. It was small, especially for two to share, but Soundwave suspected they wouldn’t mind the tight quarters. The nook was meant for sleeping more than anything else, and it was crammed with every manner of soft pillow and blanket Laserbeak could find. She’d enlisted Ravage to help her string some holiday lights throughout the ceiling, which on full charge, could last all night.

“It’s really nice,” Sunstreaker said.

“Brother! I wanted to show them!” Laserbeak complained as she stomped up to them, a little ball of righteous fury.

Soundwave scooped her up and planted her on his shoulder. “Then you should not have been arguing with your brother.”

“Awwww.”

Sideswipe threw himself into the blankets, wriggling around happily, but Sunstreaker turned back toward them, his attention focusing on Laserbeak.

“You did this for us?” he asked.

Laserbeak beamed up at him. “Yep!”

A small halo of gratitude wreathed Sunstreaker’s head. “Thank you,” he murmured, with a little dip of his head.

Sideswipe called up to his brother in their language, so Soundwave couldn’t make out the words, but fond exasperation emanated from Sunstreaker in waves. He turned and climbed into the nest of softness and was immediately set upon by his twin, who wanted to be snuggled.

“He thanked me!” Laserbeak squeaked, wriggling with excitement. “Soundwave! Did you hear that?”

Soundwave stepped back from the curtain, letting it fall shut, leaving the new twins to their privacy. “I did, flitterling.”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I think they’re going to like it here. I think they’re going to stay.”

“If they do, it will be thanks to you,” Soundwave said.

Laserbeak giggled, but there was no hiding her pride.

***