[FoF] Scars of Yesterday 10/????

[dracoqueen22]

Scars of Yesterday
Chapter Ten
They’d always been quick learners and now was no exception. Surrounded by harpies who spoke their own language and even a few who knew the human tongue, made it easier to pick it up. Sideswipe was faster at it, of course, but that only made it easier for Sunstreaker to follow in his brother’s -- his twin’s, he had the word for it now -- example.

He let Sideswipe take the lead. It was easier that way. Sideswipe floated through their new home with ease, making friends left and right, volunteering them for all kinds of duties. Sunstreaker was happy enough to tag along, to carry things and haul things and learn new things.

There was so much to learn.

Sideswipe really took to Perceptor and Drift. If he wandered away from Sunstreaker, he was sure to find his twin up on the highest tier, staring with wide eyes as Perceptor explained some concept he found fascinating. Sunstreaker, personally, thought it was all boring. He stuck around Sideswipe at first, not wanting to be separated from his brother.

Then he met Mirage and Tracks.

Mirage was quiet and thoughtful. He spoke only when he needed, and didn’t ask questions, and answered Sunstreaker’s own with plain, easy to understand answers. There was a knowing in Mirage’s eyes, like he could understand a bit of what Sunstreaker had been through. He felt comfortable around Mirage.

But Tracks.

Tracks really fascinated Sunstreaker. He was an artist, and he worked with all kinds of mediums. He explained them. Pens and paper and paint and wire and feathers and glues and yarns and strings. He had a whole nook in their nest dedicated to buckets and baskets and boxes of art mediums.

“Art wasn’t valued where I’m from,” Tracks explained as he showed Sunstreaker his sketchbooks and his sculptures and the scarves he knitted and the patchwork quilts and the oil pastels. “They wanted me to be a soldier.”

“So you can still fight?” Sunstreaker asked as he tried to follow the complicated motions of Tracks’ fingers, twisting and tying and knotting the brightly colored yarn.

Tracks grinned. “Can kick most anyone’s ass if I need to.” He shook his head and peered over at Sunstreaker’s efforts. “I leave that to Mirage now. He likes it more than I do. You’re doing pretty good, by the way. You have an artist’s hands.”

“I’ve never used my hands to create before,” Sunstreaker said. It was fascinating to him, that he could make things.

“You can now,” Tracks pointed out.

Sunstreaker liked the sound of that.

"Where are you from?" Sunstreaker asked. He asked this a lot of other harpies, at least the ones who would talk to him. A part of him hoped they'd spark some distant memory, and maybe he'd realize where he and Sideswipe were born.

He didn't want to go back, but it would still be nice to know.

"It's called Crystal City," Tracks said and gestured over Sunstreaker's shoulder. "It's far to the east of here. Very far. Took weeks for Mirage and I to get here."

"Is that why you left? Because you wanted to do art?" Sunstreaker asked.

Tracks got a weird look on his face, one Sideswipe would probably understand, but Sunstreaker wasn't adept at body language yet. He didn't have enough experience. "It was one of the reasons, but mostly, I followed Mirage. He came here, and I couldn't imagine living without him."

Sunstreaker couldn't read facial expressions, but he heard the love in Tracks' voice. It sounded a lot like the way he felt about Sideswipe. He might not understand much, but he understood love and devotion. He couldn't imagine living without Sideswipe either.

"You love him," Sunstreaker said.

"Yes. Very much." Tracks smiled, and it was a soft, gentle smile. Sunstreaker wished he knew how to capture it, because it was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen.

To be fair, Tracks was very beautiful. He and Mirage both were aesthetically pleasing. But Sunstreaker didn't mean physical beauty. He meant emotional beauty. Or something. He wasn't sure if he had the right words to say it though. So he didn't.

"Would you tell me about Crystal City?" he asked.

Tracks nodded, his fingers moving effortlessly through the weave. "Anytime you want. What do you want to know?"

Sunstreaker had endless questions. Luckily, Tracks didn't seem to mind answering them.

So he spent a lot of his free time with Mirage and Tracks and their gaggle of hatchlings. He was unnerved by the little ones at first. Mostly because they were smaller and weaker, and Sunstreaker was afraid of hurting them. He didn’t know how to be gentle. They kept climbing into his lap without hesitation, and Sunstreaker just froze.

“Hatchlings are remarkably durable,” Mirage told him while Chase snoozed in his lap and Sunstreaker breathed as shallowly as he could so as not to disturb the little one. “You don’t have to be so careful.”

Sunstreaker shook his head. “I do.” He looked down, Chase a curled bundle of dark blues and white. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

“I trust you won’t,” Mirage said.

“You barely know me,” Sunstreaker said.

Mirage gave him a small smile, and his eyes told a similar story. “I know the parts that matter.” He offered Sunstreaker a book, this one with more pictures than words. “Here. Might as well fill the hours.”

It was a book for children. Sunstreaker hadn’t once felt the need to be embarrassed by that. Why would he? They’d never been taught. It wasn’t their fault. He’d rather learn than not learn out of stubbornness or pride. Besides.

He liked the pictures.

"You want me to read?" Sunstreaker asked.

"Read aloud," Mirage suggested with another one of those sly looks he often gave. "The bitlets will like it, and you'll get the practice you need." He straightened and said, a bit louder, "Heatwave. Boulder. Come listen to a story!"

Behind them, the two little ones had been quietly playing with some stacking blocks in different colors. But at the promise of a story, they abandoned their toys and came scuttling closer.

"A story?" Boulder asked, his blue eyes big and round.

"Which one?" Heatwave asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, his bright red feathers fluffed around his body. He looked like a little mini-Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker thought he was adorable.

"It doesn't matter, Heatwave," Boulder said with a patience that seemed weird for a hatchling. Then again, Sunstreaker didn't know many hatchlings.

Mirage chuckled. "That's right. It doesn't matter. Besides, I'm not going to read it. Sunstreaker is." He pointed.

Both hatchlings turned around, finally paying attention to Sunstreaker, and perhaps even noticing Chase still asleep in his lap. Apparently, he could sleep through any matter of noise.

Heatwave noticed the book. "I don't like that one," he declared.

"It's my favorite," Boulder said, toddling over and putting both hands on Sunstreaker's knee, looking up at him with his green feathers all afluff, and his smile impossibly large. "Will you read it? Please?"

Sunstreaker could hardly say no to that.

"Sure," he said.

"And then you can read my favorite next," said Heatwave as he plopped himself down at Sunstreaker's other knee, curling his legs beneath him.

"Please," Mirage prompted.

Heatwave rolled his eyes but added, "Please."

Sunstreaker, despite himself, grinned. Little mini-Sideswipe indeed.

~

It was Sideswipe’s fault really. They didn’t have a lot of time to themselves, since they shared Soundwave’s nest with him and his siblings. They were always running around, learning new things, and their little nook didn’t offer much privacy either.

While Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had gotten used to having an audience when they were intimate, it didn’t seem right to do it now. They felt like they could get away with hugs and kisses, occasionally holding hands, but anything more than that and Sunstreaker couldn’t concentrate. He kept looking at the curtains, wondering what the others could hear from the other side.

Laserbeak seemed so very childlike, too, and that made Sunstreaker uneasy to think about her possibly listening in. Sideswipe would snuggle into him and kiss him and touch him, and Sunstreaker would get lost in it, at first, until Sideswipe touched him just right, and he moaned, and that was when Sunstreaker would remember where they were.

He shoved Sideswipe away, wrapped himself in a blanket, and tried to ignore the damp between his legs, and the throbbing of his dick. Sideswipe huffed and whined at him, but Sunstreaker hissed.

"Not here," he said.

"Then where?" Sideswipe asked.

Sunstreaker didn't have an answer for it, but apparently, that had gotten the wheels to turning in Sideswipe's head. Because he came and all but dragged Sunstreaker away from his weaving session with Tracks, a light of hunger in his eyes.

"Come on, come on," he said, hand firm around Sunstreaker's wrist as he towed Sunstreaker through the aerie. "We don't have a lot of time."

"For what?" Sunstreaker asked, baffled.

"Soundwave's working, and Laserbeak's with him," Sideswipe said, holding up two fingers, then one more. "Buzzsaw is following Vortex. Frenzy and Rumble are helping make lunch. I don't know where Ravage is." He counted them off, one by one.

Sunstreaker blinked. "So?"

"The nest is empty," Sideswipe declared as he pulled Sunstreaker into a nook, caging him in with his body. He was very close, very warm, and he feathered a kiss up the curve of Sunstreaker's jaw. "We have some time to be alone."

Sunstreaker shivered. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh. You doofus." Sideswipe pressed their foreheads together. "I wanna be inside you so bad."

"Same," Sunstreaker croaked, breathless and wanting. He squirmed against Sideswipe, heat pooling southward, thickening his dick and threatening to expose it.

He stole a kiss from Sideswipe, felt the prick of Sideswipe's teeth on his lips, and moaned against Sideswipe's mouth. This was only a little alcove, and Sunstreaker was aware they shouldn't do anything more in what was basically public, but it was hard to pull away with Sideswipe pressed against him.

Sideswipe groaned and rolled up against him. "The nest," he gritted out as he grabbed Sunstreaker's hips, his talons pricking Sunstreaker's skin.

"Yeah."

They hurried, Sideswipe's hand firmly locked around Sunstreaker's wrist. They attracted quite a few curious looks, but Sunstreaker didn't know if it was because the other harpies weren't used to them yet, or if they were causing a scene.

It didn't matter.

The nest which had become their home was indeed empty. Sunstreaker poked his nose into the various nooks just to be sure. He found no sign of any others, and their scent traces were all from this morning. A swish of cloth followed Sideswipe tugging the cord away from the main curtain so it shut behind them.

"Look at that," Sideswipe said with a hungry grin. "Privacy."

"Who knows how long we have it," Sunstreaker said as he stepped down into the much larger nest of pillows and blankets in the middle of the room. "Get over here."

Sideswipe chuckled. "Look at how brave you are now, not even trying to hide in our nook," he said as he nearly threw himself at Sunstreaker. They collided, Sunstreaker losing his balance as he fell backward into the nest.

"It's not big enough," Sunstreaker said as he dragged Sideswipe down for a kiss. Their tongues tangled, teeth clacking together, Sideswipe grinding against him with a hungry purr.

"No, it isn't," Sideswipe agreed, nosing into Sunstreaker's throat and nipping him on the join of neck and shoulder, the spot Sunstreaker liked best.

He shivered, grabbing Sideswipe's hips to pull Sideswipe down against him. He bucked up, his dick grinding against Sideswipe’s feathers in a delicious drag of friction.

Sideswipe groaned and thrust down against him, his dick jabbing into Sunstreaker’s belly. He squirmed, trying to wriggle his way between Sunstreaker’s thighs.

“Come on, Sunny,” he whined as Sunstreaker tried to yank him into place, drag Sideswipe over him so he could rut up against that hot-wet place between his brother’s thighs. “Wanna fuck you so bad.”

“Me first,” Sunstreaker said as Sideswipe grabbed his hips, sinking his talons in with a sharp bite of pain, not enough to draw blood, but enough to get his point across.

Sunstreaker grinned, showing off his teeth. “Wrestle you for it?” he asked, his heart pounding and lust pouring through him in heavy waves.

He loved wrestling Sideswipe, and honestly, he didn’t care if it was Sideswipe’s dick in him or the other way around. It was fun to rile Sideswipe up.

"You're on," Sideswipe said with a grin. He pounced, grabbing Sunstreaker's shoulders, trying to flip him onto his front.

Sunstreaker dug in, however, having the better leverage. Sideswipe was more agile than he, but Sunstreaker had always been stronger, and he wasn't above using Sideswipe's bruised hip against him. They'd learned, after all, that their opponents would not hesitate to exploit weaknesses.

A few pillows were sacrificed during their tussle, and Sunstreaker grinned as he prevailed, pinning Sideswipe face-down in the nest of blankets, his groin nestled right against his brother's tailfeathers. He bore Sideswipe down with his weight, pinning both of his twin's hands into the nest.

"Say it," Sunstreaker crowed, grinding against Sideswipe, his dick starting to emerge as the scent of his brother's arousal filled the space between them.

Sideswipe moaned, squirming. "Do it, Sunny," he said, digging his knees into the nest and pushing back against Sunstreaker. "Get inside me. Quick. Just do it."

Sunstreaker pressed his forehead between Sideswipe's shoulderblades, fires of need pulsing through his veins. He loved it when Sideswipe got all eager and desperate. He loved it so much he needed a moment to get himself back under control.

"Come on!" Sideswipe whined, wriggling beneath him, tail feathers flicking aside so that Sunstreaker nestled between his thighs, his dick pressing firm against the sticky damp of Sideswipe's hole.

Sunstreaker groaned, hips rolling in a desperate rhythm, rutting hard over Sideswipe, not quite sliding into him. The hot-sticky-wet of him was intoxicating, the scent of his arousal dizzying.

"I will start the fight up again," Sideswipe warned as he dug his knees into the nest and snarled, "if you don't -- ahh."

They moaned in unison as Sideswipe's rock back hit the perfect angle for Sunstreaker to slide home, starbursts behind his eyes as he was instantly enveloped by molten-squeezy-wet. Sideswipe flexed around him, as if trying to draw Sunstreaker deeper, and Sunstreaker obliged, thrusting sharply.

Sideswipe gasped and shuddered around him, a babble of encouragement spilling from his lips. “More, Sunny. More. I’ve missed you so much, missed this.”

Sunstreaker’s knees shook. There was little that drove him to the edge faster than Sideswipe’s filthy mouth, and his brother knew it. He drove into Sideswipe harder, faster, shoving him into the pillows and blankets, slamming deep.

Cloth sacrificed itself to their talons. Sunstreaker teethed the back of Sideswipe’s neck, but didn’t bite down until he found that spot, the one right at the join of neck and shoulder, that always made Sideswipe howl. He sunk his teeth into the grooves left by prior bites, and Sideswipe yelped, going liquid beneath him.

He tightened around Sunstreaker and surrendered all at once, gasping and trembling, giving in to Sunstreaker’s pace. It was perfect, and so Sunstreaker rewarded him, snapping his hips, grinding deep each time, hitting the angle to make Sideswipe sing. He locked his jaw, so Sideswipe couldn’t move, and bore Sideswipe into the nest, so his dick could rub against the textures of the many fabrics.

It would be an especially maddening torture. Just the kind Sideswipe liked.

Sunstreaker thrust into him harder as Sideswipe moaned and tried to push back, but couldn’t do anything more than wriggle.

“Touch me, Sunny, please,” he begged.

Sunstreaker growled against the back of his neck, one hand pinning Sideswipe into the nest. “No. Use the pillows.”

Sideswipe gasped and whined, grinding down against the blankets, surely leaving a mess beneath them, judging by the thick scent of arousal. Sideswipe radiated heat, too, and his feathers rustled against Sunstreaker’s front.

“Jerk,” Sideswipe groaned, but he rippled around Sunstreaker in obvious want, panting and clawing at the blankets, hips jerking between Sunstreaker and the pillows.

Sunstreaker grinned and bent back over Sideswipe, finding that perfect spot to sink his teeth into. Sideswipe keened and shuddered, the scent of his arousal so thick it made Sunstreaker’s head spin. He squeezed down tight on Sunstreaker, molten and wonderful, and Sunstreaker managed a handful of thrusts more before he spilled inside his brother, color flashing at the back of his eyes.

A strangled gasp and a tiny squeak caught Sunstreaker’s attention. He looked up, eyes wide, in time to catch a glimpse of Soundwave -- and Laserbeak on his shoulder -- standing in the doorway of the Nest. They were there for a flash and then Soundwave was gone, the curtain swishing shut behind him, Laserbeak squawking disappointment.

“What…?” Sideswipe stirred beneath Sunstreaker, trying to lift his head.

“Soundwave came back early.” Sunstreaker sat back, slipping free of Sideswipe as he did so. “He didn’t see anything, but I’m sure he heard enough, and Laserbeak got herself an eyeful.”

Sideswipe flopped over on his back. “Oops.” He grinned dopily at Sunstreaker, holding his hands up, making grabby motions. “Might as well take advantage then. Come cuddle me.”

Sunstreaker wrinkled his nose. “We’re filthy. We need a bath.” He glanced around the bedding. “And we should change the blankets and stuff.”

“Really?” Sideswipe groaned and flopped his head back against a pillow. “Why do you have to be all responsible and stuff?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.” Sunstreaker frowned at the mess. “And I’m sticky, and since we can bathe anytime we want to, I don’t want to stay sticky if I don’t have to.”

Sideswipe sighed and hauled himself up. “Fine.” He flicked his hands at Sunstreaker. “You go bathe. I’ll clean up here and join you in a bit.”

“You’re the best.” Sunstreaker bent down and kissed Sideswipe senseless, licking into his brother’s mouth, soaking up this moment between them.

Who knew when they’d get another?

Sideswipe hummed into the kiss and grinned as Sunstreaker pulled away. “Yeah, I am,” he said with a little push. “So go before I shove you back down and take my turn.”

It was an appealing temptation. But if Soundwave had returned, there was every chance any of the others might return as well, and Sunstreaker didn’t want an audience if he didn’t have to have one. Those days were behind them now.

So Sunstreaker kissed his brother again and extracted himself from the bednest before the temptation to stay dragged him back down. He grabbed a smaller blanket, already filthy, and made an effort to wipe at himself before giving it up as a loss. A bath would be the only thing to help right now.

“Don’t be long,” Sunstreaker tossed over his shoulder as he headed for the door.

“Don’t do anything fun without me!” Sideswipe tossed back, an armful of soiled blankets already bundled in his arms.

Sunstreaker rolled his eyes, and twitched the curtain aside. He peered out first, wondering if Soundwave and Laserbeak had lingered nearby, but he saw no sign of them. He didn’t know where they’d gone, and hated the idea of that discussion later.

It wasn’t embarrassing. Sunstreaker had, reluctantly, gotten used to the concept of having little privacy and being intimate with Sideswipe to an audience. So he didn’t know why he felt so awkward about it now.

Because it was Soundwave? Because it was people he actually liked instead of people he secretly wished he could slaughter?

Sunstreaker sighed. No sense worrying about it. He’d get through the awkwardness later. At least he wouldn’t have to handle it alone.

He made his way to the hot springs without trouble, and no one seemed to take two looks at him, despite the evidence of his activities drying visibly on his front. Either it was a common occurrence and they ignored it out of politeness, or no one really noticed.

Sunstreaker found one of the smaller pools in the far corner and sat down for a soak, waiting for Sideswipe to join him. It was noisy in the springs today, with several clumps of harpies chattering to each other as they bathed or soaked. There’d been an air of unease hanging around the aerie for the past week or so, but it seemed to be gradually lifting, despite the lingering order for their borders to be closed.

Liege Megatron wasn’t taking any chances.

Sunstreaker was almost dozing off by the time Sideswipe joined him, leaping in without hesitation, causing a splash that startled Sunstreaker awake. He spluttered, wiping water from his eyes, as Sideswipe laughed and threw himself at Sunstreaker for a sloppy kiss.

“Missed ya,” he said as he retreated to his side of the pool before Sunstreaker could swipe at him.

“It’s been, what, ten minutes?” Sunstreaker asked, sour.

“Felt like forever.” Sideswipe dug through the pool-side basket for a feather comb. He was smiling from ear to ear, though, and there was relaxation in the way he moved.

Amazing what a little pleasure could do for him.

“Did you see Soundwave?”

“Nope.” Sideswipe frowned over the feather comb, picking out a straw leaving from the previous use. “There was a ruckus at the front entrance though. Not sure what happened. Think a human showed up? I didn’t stick around to find out.”

“That’s bold,” Sunstreaker commented.

Sideswipe shrugged and began tending to his right arm, where a few feathers were snarled and awkward. Echoes of lingering new growth, probably. Their molts were always a bit weird.

“I saw Starscream kicking up a fuss, shouting and all that, not that I’m sure I knew what he was saying.”

Hmm.

Sunstreaker tapped his thigh. Mirage had told him Starscream spent a lot of time in Kaon, with the humans, enough so he had a few friends there. Perhaps it was one of them.

“As long as the human stays away from us, I don’t really care what’s going on,” Sunstreaker said.

Sideswipe made a noise of agreement.

They lingered in the pool until it was time for dinner. Sunstreaker hoped the noise and bustle of the evening meal would forestall any potentially awkward conversations.

It didn’t.

Soundwave had nothing to say, but Laserbeak came and squirmed herself between them, beaming brightly as she nibbled on several seed buns.

“So,” she chirped.

“Don’t start,” said Sunstreaker.

“Start what?” Laserbeak asked, radiating innocence. Sunstreaker didn’t believe it for a second. Her eyes glittered with mischief.

“What was the ruckus earlier?” Sideswipe asked around a mouthful of salad, the dressing flecking across his lips and cheeks.

Sunstreaker wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to the lack of meat here. The humans gave them strips of dried jerky from time to time, and now he found himself craving the seasoned flesh. He hadn’t known it wasn’t something harpies didn’t eat. None of the other prisoners had complained about it.

“Oh. That.” Laserbeak laughed and rose up to stand on the bench, craning her neck to see through the crowds of residents still filling up the dining hall. “Starscream’s human friend was worried about him and rode all the way out here. Liege Megatron is letting him stay overnight because Roadbuster hit him a little too hard.”

“Human,” Sunstreaker said with a sneer.

Laserbeak nodded. “Don’t worry. Starscream knows better than to bring him near you guys. I think he’s still with Ratchet anyway.”

“He’ll stay away if he knows what’s good for him,” Sideswipe said, tearing off a hunk of bread and stuffing it into his mouth.

“I will guarantee it,” Soundwave said, the first time he’d spoken all evening. He seemed fully focused on his meal.

Or maybe he was trying to avoid the awkward conversation no one except Laserbeak seemed to want to have.

“We believe you,” said Sideswipe, and that was enough of that, because Laserbeak started chattering about her day, and didn’t seem inclined to poke them about what she’d seen.

Sunstreaker breathed relief and focused on his meal, despite the embarrassed unease in his belly. He couldn’t delay forever so when he was finished eating, he went back to the family nest, Sideswipe strutting alongside him, whistling as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

“I’ll be along shortly,” Soundwave had informed them, Buzzsaw sitting grouchily upon his shoulder, trying to tuck himself into Soundwave’s feathermane.

“Sounds great,” Sunstreaker lied.

They got back to the nest, and Sunstreaker was relieved to find Sideswipe had indeed changed the bedding and put the bed to rights. Of course, a quick peek into their nook discovered the dirtied bedding.

Sunstreaker rolled his eyes. “Tossing the blankets into our nook doesn’t count as cleaning them up,” he said.

“I don’t know where I’m supposed to take them, cut me some slack,” Sideswipe said. He grinned and threw himself into their nook, flopping down on the blankets and wriggling around. “Come snuggle me.”

Sunstreaker hovered in the doorway, his arms folded. “So we can get caught again?”

Sideswipe pouted, and his pout was quite alluring. Difficult to resist. “We’re just gonna snuggle. Promise. Cross my core.” He dragged his fingers in a cross over his chest. He had to have picked that up from Frenzy and Rumble.

“Don’t go to sleep just yet!” Laserbeak announced as she scuttled up to them, making grabby hands until Sunstreaker lifted her up to his shoulder. “Soundwave has a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?” Sunstreaker asked as Sideswipe all but launched himself out of their nook with an excited bounce.

“Surprise?” he echoed.

Laserbeak grinned and kicked her feet, her eyes sparkling. “Yep! I think he was going to wait but after today…” She broke into giggles.

Sunstreaker’s face heated.

Sideswipe hid behind his palm. “Sorry you had to see that, sweetheart. I thought we’d have more time.”

“Mm. I don’t mind. It was interesting.” Laserbeak stretched, fluffing her fingers. “I mean, not for me. I don’t really want that stuff.”

“Good,” said Sideswipe. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the whole world who’s good enough for you.”

Laserbeak giggled again, kicking her feet. “You’re sweet.”

“Also, accurate.”

Sunstreaker startled at Soundwave’s unexpected arrival and only just kept himself from jumping, which probably would have ejected Laserbeak from his shoulder. He turned much slower to find Soundwave just inside the doorway to the nest with Orion beside him, the latter offering a smile and a wave.

“Laserbeak special,” Soundwave said as Buzzsaw alit from his shoulder and made a beeline for the nook he shared with Laserbeak.

“The specialist,” Laserbeak corrected. She leaned in, pressed a kiss to Sunstreaker’s cheek, and hopped down from his shoulder, landing without making a sound. “Are we going to show them the surprise now?”

“Yes, we are,” said Orion, his eyes glittering with amusement. “That is, if you would like to join us? Sideswipe? Sunstreaker?”

“We’re coming,” Sunstreaker said with a sigh. Sideswipe was already bounding past him, radiating excitement.

Sunstreaker moved at a more sedate pace, and was surprised when Soundwave and Orion stepped out of the nest. He kept his curiosity hidden, however, unwilling to show too much enthusiasm. He liked living here, but he didn’t completely trust the other harpies. Too often had rewards been thinly veiled punishments, or shackles meant to keep them better behaved.

“After looking at the layout, I realized there was enough space nearby for a cozy nest, if two harpies weren’t against sharing,” Orion said. “It was easy enough to get Hoist and Grapple to clear it out and make it habitable. It was no trouble at all.”

“Gratitude offered,” Soundwave said with a tip of his head toward Orion.

Orion smiled and held up a hand. “It’s my job, Soundwave. Besides, it’s the least I can do.”

Soundwave’s nest was nestled into a curve on the outer edge of the tree, an almost shadowed alcove just off the main corridor. Soundwave and Orion, however, didn’t go far. There was a ridge in the branch system and previously, Sunstreaker remembered it being choked with a fairly thick growth of vines.

Said vines had been cleared now, and a cheerful curtain hung from the woven branch canopy above. The door itself was narrow -- not unlike the entrance to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe’s little nook.

“What’s this?” Sideswipe asked.

Soundwave coughed and looked at Orion as if pleading.

Orion chuckled and gestured to the curtain. “While Soundwave is more than happy to serve as your steward, he thought you two might prefer your own space.”

Sunstreaker blinked.

Sideswipe tilted his head in confusion before he darted forward and swept back the curtain. He squawked his delight. “Our own nest!”

“Yes. Exactly.” Orion looked at Sunstreaker. “This is not Soundwave abandoning you, but recognizing that you are both adults with certain… needs.”

Soundwave coughed again.

Sunstreaker’s eyes widened, heat soaking into his cheeks. If Sideswipe noticed, there was no sign, because he was too busy squawking happily as he roamed around the space Sunstreaker had yet to see.

“You may visit as you see fit,” Soundwave said as Laserbeak tottered after Sideswipe into the new space. “You may even continue to sleep in the nook. This space is just for privacy, or permanence, whichever you wish.”

Sideswipe head popped into view. “Sunny, get in here and check this out!

Sunstreaker sighed at his idiot brother. “Thank you,” he said, to both Soundwave and Orion. He thought to add something else, but words failed him. He offered a smile instead and slipped into the narrow opening, twitching aside the bright curtain.

The space was larger than their nook, but not by much. He and Sideswipe could lay side by side in any direction they wanted. Shelving was built into the walls, making for small spaces where they could stash their belongings. There was no window, but they’d taken the time to string lights overhead, and a main lamp swung from the middle, glowing dimly. A pile of blankets and pillows would make a comfy bed.

Sideswipe had already flopped down into it while Laserbeak pointed to various decorations one by one, explaining them.

“I picked that out and that out and that out,” she said. “I wanted you two to be comfortable.” She was smiling, but her tail had a tremble to it.

“It looks comfortable,” Sunstreaker said. He lowered himself down beside Sideswipe with far more grace. “Thank you.”

Laserbeak beamed, but it wasn’t as bright as it usually was. “You like this space better, I bet. I mean, I know it’s not big, but it’s private.”

“The privacy is nice,” Sideswipe agreed. “But that doesn’t mean it’s better. It just means we now have somewhere else to hang out.”

“You can visit anytime,” Sunstreaker said.

“Exactly!” Sideswipe hooked an arm around Sunstreaker’s belly and unceremoniously yanked him back into the bed. “And we’ll hang out in your nest, too. Just not all the time.”

Laserbeak’s feathers fluttered. “Promise?”

“Cross my core,” Sideswipe said and nudged Sunstreaker with his cheek. “Which goes double for this one.”

Laserbeak’s grin better suited her. “Great!”

Sunstreaker chuckled quietly and gave in to the aggressive cuddle Sideswipe demanded. Here in this quiet, private place for just the two of them.

Amazing.

***