[FoF] Scars of Yesterday 21

[dracoqueen22]

Scars of Yesterday
Chapter Twenty-One

“What happened with Starscream?”

“Did his human really turn into a harpy?”

“Did Megatron actually let more humans stay here?”

“Can we meet them?”

“Can we keep them?”

The last question came from, of course, Laserbeak, but given the mischief in her eyes, Sunstreaker doubted she was serious. Mostly. He wasn’t sure about Laserbeak sometimes. She had a lot of mysteries tucked into that sunny exterior.

“Business none of yours,” Soundwave said once the bombardment of questions ended, mostly from the two sets of twins. Ravage had already gone for the day.

Sunstreaker didn’t care about Starscream’s newest debacle, or the humans, so long as the latter stayed in the healer’s rooms and never came anywhere close to him or Sideswipe. No, Sunstreaker was more interested in the fact that he and Sideswipe had woken with Soundwave between them, snoozing peacefully, and now sat with Soundwave between them, their shoulders pressed to his.

Soundwave had also replaced his visor -- more in deference to the brilliant sunrise than to any desire to conceal his scars -- but he'd left off his mask. He didn't seem in a hurry to put distance between them like he usually did, as if skittish by their proximity.

There was something in the air. Not a smell or anything, just a weird vibe Sunstreaker couldn't place. He kept looking at Sideswipe, but Sideswipe shrugged and kept eating.

"Be patient," he mouthed.

But Sunstreaker was running out of patience.

"Aw, come on, we're just curious," Frenzy said.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before," Rumble agreed around a mouthful of breakfast.

"Work to be done," Soundwave reminded them, his tone stern but affectionate.

They sighed in unison.

"Yeah, yeah, we're going." Frenzy stuffed the last bite of muffin into his mouth and climbed to his feet, grabbing Rumble's arm as he did so. "Come on. If I'm working, so're you."

Rumble hauled himself upright with all the energy of dripping molasses. "We never get to have any fun."

"You could always sneak around and find out yourself," Buzzsaw suggested.

Soundwave made a noise of disapproval, but Frenzy and Rumble immediately brightened. They traded a look of mischief.

"Yep, work. Lots of work to do," Frenzy said.

"See ya later, bro," Rumble said.

They scampered out the door, giggling to each other. Soundwave sighed and cast a look upon an unrepentant Buzzsaw until Buzzsaw noticed the error of his ways and dragged himself to his feet.

"I'll keep them out of trouble," he grumbled.

"Trouble he started," Laserbeak chirped with a roll of her eyes. "What are we going to do with them, Soundwave?"

"They will need further supervision, flitterling," Soundwave murmured with a smile toward her. "Watch over them for me?"

Laserbeak blinked. "But who will watch your step for you?"

"Sideswipe and Sunstreaker," Soundwave answered without missing a beat.

Sunstreaker sat up straight, eyes wide. He looked over at Sideswipe, who looked equally surprised. Soundwave usually put up a protest, however token, when they insisted on escorting him somewhere. Now he was all but asking them to? What was up?

"Oh," Laserbeak acknowledged with a long, slow nod. "I got you." She winked dramatically and hopped to her feet. "I insist you tell me everything later."

"We'll see," Soundwave demurred as Laserbeak scuttled from the room, hurrying to catch up to her siblings.

"Tell her what?" Sideswipe asked as he wiped his hand across the back of his mouth. "What's going on?"

Soundwave shifted, moving from between them to across from them. "Conversation to be had."

"And answers to be given?" Sunstreaker asked even as Sideswipe elbowed him in the side and hissed, "Patience."

Sunstreaker gritted his teeth, curling his hands around his knees and digging his talons into his skin. "It was just a question," he snaps.

"Yes, answers," Soundwave said gently. "I should not have made you wait so long, and for that, I apologize."

"It's fine," Sideswipe said before Sunstreaker could get out any words. "We understand that some people need longer to think about things. Not everyone can be reckless." His words were definitely pointed.

Sunstreaker ignored him.

He only had eyes for Soundwave who looked like he was trying to gather his courage, and Sunstreaker's heart plummeted into his belly. He groped for Sideswipe's hand, tangling their fingers and squeezing.

Soundwave shook his head. “Cowardice, not confusion,” he said. “Wanting and risking… difficult.”

Sunstreaker could understand that. He had Sideswipe, and if Soundwave refused them, well, he’d get over it. Eventually. Probably. He would always have Sideswipe, and he could rely on that certainty.

Soundwave didn’t have that.

“But?” Sunstreaker prompted.

Sideswipe sighed. “He means that we understand how hard this is, and we’re prepared to accept whatever answer you give us.”

That wasn’t what Sunstreaker meant, but whatever. Sideswipe was better at communicating anyway.

Soundwave breathed a quiet laugh. “Sunstreaker’s impatience justified,” he murmured, and he reached up to take off his mask, setting it aside. His pale eyes stared in their direction. “Decision difficult but willing to try.”

Sunstreaker blinked. “Willing to try… with us?” he asked.

“You’re saying yes?” Sideswipe said.

“Yes,” Soundwave said, and he smiled softly at them, reaching out with a hand toward each of them. “I want to try.”

Sideswipe, for all that he was screeching about being patient, threw himself into Soundwave’s arms, wrapping him up in a big hug. Soundwave made a startled noise, but he returned the embrace with one arm, gesturing to Sunstreaker with the other.

“Tonight?” Sunstreaker asked as he eased into Soundwave’s embrace, pressing his nose to the other harpy’s throat and inhaling deeply, now that he could. Soundwave’s natural musk made his heart skip a beat, and it was concentrated here in the hollow at the base of his throat.

Sideswipe poked at him in the side, right beneath his ribs where he’d always been most tender. “He just said yes, Sunny. Let him breathe for crying out loud.”

Soundwave rumbled as if amused. “If duties permit.”

Because of the thing with Blurr, Sunstreaker suspected. He glanced at his twin, and Sideswipe waggled his eyebrows. Oh, yeah. They would make sure Soundwave’s duties permitted, if they had to ask Megatron himself.

They’d waited long enough.

“Don’t worry,” Sideswipe promised. “We’ll take care of everything.”

~

A whole conversation lasted in a matter of seconds between Sideswipe's eyebrows and Sunstreaker's glares until finally, Sunstreaker acquiesced and escorted Soundwave out of the nest. Soundwave needed to get to work, and so did Sideswipe. He had plans.

He had to make sure Soundwave would be available which meant he would have to speak with Megatron, and no, he wasn't anxious about it.

Megatron frightened him only in the sense that he was the leader of the Aerie, and thereby, the ultimate voice on whether Sideswipe and Sunstreaker could stay. But in their time here, Sideswipe knew Megatron couldn't do so without good reason, and without hearing it from the folks around him. Megatron was Liege, but he did not rule without objection.

Sunstreaker took Soundwave to his office, and Sideswipe went looking for Megatron, trying his office first and getting lucky.

"Come on in," Megatron said without looking up from a pile of papers spread across the desk in front of him. He had a quill in one hand while the other referenced a small book. "Is everything all right?"

Sideswipe nodded and glanced around for a stool, finding one pushed to the side, so he dragged it closer and dropped down to it. "I had a request and figured you'd be the best one to ask about it."

"Oh?" Megatron put the quill into the book and folded it closed. "Is this about Soundwave?"

"Can't hide anything from you, can I?" Sideswipe asked with a little laugh. He looked around the office, taking in the numerous decorations. There was something about Megatron's intense stare that unsettled him.

"Uh, so, he finally agreed to let us officially court him," Sideswipe continued as he admired a woven tapestry on the wall. It was very intricate. "I was kind of hoping you could make sure he had the time to let us do that. Know what I mean?"

A small huff of a laugh escaped from Megatron. "You'd like me to make sure he doesn't overwork himself? I don't think you understand Soundwave just yet."

Sideswipe shook his head and finally dragged his gaze back to Megatron. The larger harpy looked curious, but not annoyed. "Nah, I get that. He's stubborn. I just meant, maybe you could line up some help so that he can't use it an excuse?"

"Ahhh." Megatron leaned back and scratched at his chin. "That I can do. I can make sure Orion can step in if he needs to, and I will go see Soundwave. Remind him he needs time off as much as anyone else."

"We'd appreciate that," Sideswipe admired the suncatcher dangling from the ceiling -- looked like some of Drift's work -- and then pushed himself to his feet. "That was pretty much it so..."

"Sideswipe."

Yep. There it was.

He gave Megatron his full attention.

"Be good to him," Megatron said, not quite a warning. More of a request. "He's important to many of us. We all want to see him happy."

Sideswipe lifted his chin. "That's what we want, too."

"Good." Megatron turned his attention back to his documents, picking up both book and quill once more. "I suggest making sure he eats lunch. It's a meal he usually skips. It's a good place to start."

Sideswipe chuckled. "That's good advice. Thanks."

Sideswipe left, a bounce in his step, and decided to take Megatron's advice. He headed for the kitchens with the intent of collecting lunch, and it was Whirl who found him perusing the day's selection with contemplation written all over his face.

"That's the look of a harpy who's trying to impress," Whirl drawled as he leaned on the table, a big grin on his scarred face. "Lemme guess... Soundwave?"

Sideswipe sighed. "Does literally everyone know?"

"Only one of you three who's subtle is Soundwave, and that's only cause he hides his face." Whirl barked a laugh but reached under the table and pulled out a small basket. "I know what he likes. Want some help?"

Sideswipe gnawed on his bottom lip, looking over the assorted foods. He knew what Soundwave liked, too but if Whirl had some secret insight. "Sure," he said. "It better be the good stuff."

"I only make good stuff, kiddo," Whirl said with another laugh, but he started assembling things in the basket -- cheeses and candied nuts and a little bottle of some kind of pressed cider.

"It's about time Soundwave got laid," Whirl continued while Sideswipe watched him gather appropriate items.

Sideswipe stared. "Um. I'll pass on your congratulations, I guess?"

Whirl threw his head back and laughed loud enough to get everyone's attention. "Please do. And make sure Sunny draws me a picture of his reaction, yeah?" He tossed a couple more things into the basket before he threw a nice towel over it. "Here ya go, kiddo. One picnic lunch to go."

"Thanks." Sideswipe accepted the basket.

Whirl winked at him, which looked like a long blink considering he was missing an eye, and then he moved on to help someone else, greeting Sunstorm with a loud noise before he leaned over the table and snatched Sunspot from the other harpy's arms.

Sunspot shrieked with laughter while Sunstorm rolled his eyes, looking much put-upon, but not an ounce of fear in his eyes.

It struck Sideswipe then, just how much kindness there was in this aerie.

Sure, they were nosy and they teased, but for the most part, folks were kind. They kept their hands to themselves. They were weird in a hundred different unique ways, but that was kind of what Sideswipe liked about it.

He was suddenly really glad he and Sunstreaker decided to stay here. It was where they belonged.

~

Sunstreaker never left Soundwave's side, and by the time lunch rolled around, Sideswipe showed up as well, basket over his arm.

"We should go for a walk," he declared, sweeping into the room with much fanfare, delicious scents floating out from the basket in his arms. "I have acquired the fixings for a picnic."

"Oh, good idea." Sunstreaker leaned in, radiating concern. "You up for a walk with us?"

Soundwave set aside the document currently occupying his attention. “Of course,” he said. Both of them radiated a mix of mischief and affection, underlaid by eager anticipation. Even if he wasn’t caught up on his work, he couldn’t fathom refusing them.

He’d forced them to wait too long as it was.

They went outside, Sideswipe carrying the basket and Sunstreaker taking Soundwave’s arm, departing through the entrance on the main floor. This deposited them into the forest, on a warm spring day, the branches laden with enough leaves to dampen the bright sunlight. Soundwave could forego his visor if he wished, and depending on wherever the twins chose to set up their lunch, he might do just that.

“Sideswipe activities?” Soundwave asked.

“Oh, this and that,” Sideswipe sang. “Nothing important. Had a little chat with Megatron. Had a chat with Whirl. Wandered around for a bit. The usual.”

Megatron?

Oh, dear.

“You didn’t say anything stupid, did you?” Sunstreaker asked, vocalizing a concern Soundwave wasn’t sure how to word.

Sideswipe laughed. “That depends on what you consider stupid.”

Sunstreaker sighed.

“Relax, sheesh. All I did was ask him to make sure we could get Soundwave some help when he needed it,” Sideswipe said as he swept in close enough to nudge Soundwave in the shoulder. “He might have also mentioned we should take good care of you.”

Soundwave swallowed a groan. He would have words with Megatron later.

“Hey, there’s that clearing Tracks mentioned,” Sunstreaker said, perhaps overloud, but it was an effective means of changing the subject. “It’s still shaded, Soundwave, but there’s some nice moss to spread the blanket over.”

Sideswipe chuckled and affection for his twin blossomed in blue waves around his body. “You and your obsession with moss. You have your sketchbook, don’t you?”

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t,” Sunstreaker retorted, tartly. Indignation spiked from his shoulders. “Set up the picnic, Sideswipe.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” Sideswipe flounced ahead of them, oozing insincerity in his obedience, and Sunstreaker sighed, leaning in on Soundwave.

“Are you sure you want us?” he asked, tone half-dry, but undercurrents of genuine worry in the soft question. “He’s kind of a handful.”

“This already knew,” Soundwave murmured. He removed his mask, tucking it away. “Appealing nonetheless.”

The weight of Sunstreaker’s stare drilled into the side of his face. “I should’ve guessed,” he said after a moment of hard studying. “You thrive on chaos, don’t you?”

Soundwave managed a quiet chuckle. “Life is order,” he said, gently touching Sunstreaker’s arm and giving it a squeeze. “Prefer the occasional surprise.”

“If you say so,” Sunstreaker said with thick doubt. But he leaned into Soundwave’s touch, yearning for affection in a tangible thrum. “Ready to sit?”

Soundwave could only see the shape of things – a mostly clear space in the cool shade of the trees, sun dappling through the leaves in flickers of light. Sideswipe sat on the ground, and when Soundwave joined him, felt the thickness of a blanket beneath, and the smell of food floated out from the basket and several trays arranged neatly within reach.

There were more than a few of Soundwave’s favorites present – some of which the twins couldn’t possibly have known. Sideswipe’s conversation with Whirl offered context.

Soundwave sat with a twin to either side of him, and never had to worry about reaching for food or drink, because one or the other was quick to press something into his hand. And out here, the breeze was fresh, the temperature was mild, and it was wonderfully quiet – save for the occasional singing bird and the chattering of local wildlife.

Inch by inch, Soundwave was able to relax.

“You know what would be fun?” Sideswipe asked as he draped himself along Soundwave’s side, head resting on Soundwave’s shoulder as he popped handfuls of candied nuts into his mouth.

Sunstreaker made a worried sound. “I feel like I can guess what you’re going to say, but I don’t need Mirage or Tracks to tell me that it’s inappropriate.”

“My thoughts were perfectly pure thank you very much,” Sideswipe said with a huff. He crunched on another mouthful of nuts. “I was just thinking about the first time we all met, and how awesome Soundwave fought. And we didn’t even know at the time that you’re mostly blind.”

“Your point?” Sunstreaker asked.

Sideswipe squirmed closer, his exhales briefly puffing against Soundwave’s neck. “We should spar sometime. I think that would be fun.”

"Under supervision, yes," Soundwave said. "Refuse to anger Ratchet."

Sideswipe snorted and rubbed his cheek on Soundwave's shoulder. "Yeah, that's probably for the best."

"How did you learn to fight like that?" Sunstreaker asked as he inched closer, until Soundwave was firmly pressed between them, wrapped in their affection. "Who taught you?"

Soundwave sipped at the cider Whirl had packed and set it aside -- his stomach pleasantly full. "Megatron," he answered quietly to ease the burden on his throat. "Initially, others refused. Megatron only one willing."

"That's why you two are so close, huh?" Sideswipe asked.

"In part." Soundwave closed his eyes behind the visor. He didn't miss his home Aerie. Everyone he'd held dear had come with him to Kaon. "Other reasons also."

"I know the feeling." Sideswipe slumped against him until he slipped fully down, pillowing his head on Soundwave's thigh. "Ooo, this is comfy. I could take a nap just like this."

Soundwave chuckled and rested a hand on Sideswipe's head, gently stroking his feathers as Sideswipe purred beneath his fingers. "Welcome to do so," he murmured.

"What about me?" Sunstreaker asked as he hooked his chin on Soundwave's shoulder.

"Plenty of room," Soundwave said as Sideswipe laughed but kept tilting his head into Soundwave's fingers, eagerly seeking more gentle touches.

Sunstreaker brimmed with… anticipation and something else. Something Soundwave couldn’t quite place. “Sure,” he said. “But if I wanted to kiss you, would that be all right?”

Sideswipe tensed beneath Soundwave’s fingers. “Sunny!”

“I’m asking this time!” Sunstreaker hissed back, indignation spiking around him.

“Peace,” Soundwave murmured and reached for Sunstreaker, slowly cupping his hand around the curve of Sunstreaker’s face. “I am not so skittish.”

Sunstreaker turned into the curve of his palm. “Is that a yes? I’m not trying to be pushy here, it’s just you seem to be allergic to being direct.”

Sideswipe sighed and made another noise of frustration, but Soundwave chuckled quietly. To be fair, Sunstreaker had a point. Soundwave often relied too heavily on being cryptic, and such behavior in the past had only gone poorly for them.

He needed to be more direct.

“You may,” Soundwave said, and guided Sunstraker closer, meeting the other harpy halfway.

Eagerness billowed out from Sunstreaker, along with warm delight, and his kiss was the gentlest press of mouths together. He tasted like the sugar dusted on the sweet rolls gifted to them, and he made the sweetest noises as he swept his tongue over Soundwave’s lips and leaned in with his whole body.

Heat pooled in Soundwave’s body, his heart picking up a faster rhythm. Gold shone bright around Sunstreaker, nearly blinding, and Soundwave wanted to deepen the kiss, to dip his fingers into that gold glow and see how many more colors he could provoke.

But then Sideswipe jostled him, springing upright and wriggling in on Soundwave’s other side. “Hey, wait, if you’re doling out kisses then I want one, too,” he said.

“Greedy,” Sunstreaker accused.

“Share and share alike,” Sideswipe retorted.

Amusement gripped Soundwave. He turned toward Sideswipe, and didn’t have to reach for the other twin before Sideswipe launched himself into Soundwave’s arms, mouth falling over Soundwave’s in a kiss more aggressive than Sunstreaker’s. It wasn’t unpleasant, but where Sunstreaker had been tentative, Sideswipe was more bold.

He made the first gesture, tongue tasting the seam of Soundwave’s lips before easing inside. He nipped gently and wrapped an arm around Soundwave, wriggling until he was pressed to Soundwave, all but straddling his right leg. Delighted satisfaction wafted from Sideswipe in waves, and he hummed, eagerly peppering Soundwave’s face with little kisses.

Soundwave curved his arm around Sideswipe in turn, and tempered the kiss, turning it slower, more savoring. Sideswipe smelled and tasted of candied cinnamon, and one of his knees slipped between Soundwave’s legs, barely brushing a light pressure at the apex of his thighs.

A jolt of need sprang through Soundwave, sharp enough it made him gasp. Sideswipe nipped the edge of his jaw, and then there was a warm hand on his face, turning him back toward Sunstreaker, and Soundwave lost himself in the rhythm of them.

Sideswipe rocking on his right leg, clever fingers walking up and down Soundwave’s thigh while his mouth worked hot magic on Soundwave’s throat.

Sunstreaker pressed against his left, stealing his lips more often than not, his palm warm and present on Soundwave’s chest, occasionally flirting downward but never going anywhere untoward. It was more a tease than anything else, and by the time they bore him backward onto the blanket, Soundwave felt as though he were floating.

They seemed intent on kissing him senseless, and for the life of him, Soundwave couldn’t fathom why this might be a bad idea. Not when they were both radiating such eager hunger and warm affection. When every brush of their hands over his body, always above the waist, felt appreciative and curious. When they exhaled and kissed each other as well, making such delicious noises that heat pooled southward, throbbing through Soundwave’s veins.

Sideswipe kicked over their decanter of cider, and Sunstreaker laughed, but it was only a brief pause in Sunstreaker’s thorough mapping of Soundwave’s throat. He discovered Sideswipe was ticklish if teased too gently on the side, but purred with a firmer touch. In fact, both twins favored a heavier hand, the tangible press of talons between their feathers, or when Soundwave turned their eagerness against them with his own.

It took far too long for Soundwave to realize that the distant rumbling he registered was not, in fact, in his imagination, but the threat of an oncoming storm. A cold breeze whistled through the trees, disturbing the warmth of the moment.

He reluctantly ended the soft kisses, his lips raw and tingling in the best ways. “A storm approaches,” he said.

“Awww, just when things were getting good,” Sideswipe said.

“I’m not about to rush things out here in the open air anyway,” Sunstreaker said with a sniff. He pecked Soundwave’s cheek with a kiss before drawing away. The rustle of him gathering their picnic supplies immediately followed.

“Ohh, good point,” Sideswipe said, though with a definitely mischievous air. He radiated heat, and Soundwave could not mistake the arousal cloaking both of them. “This is just an appetizer then.”

Soundwave’s face heated. “Work awaits,” he pointed out. This was, technically, only a lunch break. He probably should have been back ages ago.

Sideswipe stood and pulled Soundwave to his feet with one good tug – a feat of strength that still somehow surprised Soundwave, despite knowing their history. He brought Soundwave’s hand up to his mouth, lips warm and gentle over Soundwave’s knuckles.

“Then this can keep you warm until next time, hm?” Sideswipe suggested, tone coy, and warm intent brimming around him.

“Tomorrow?” Sunstreaker suggested as he materialized at Soundwave’s other side, one arm occupied by the basket. “After dinner?”

“Don’t rush him,” Sideswipe said with a sigh. “I’m trying to be romantic here, not immediately get him between us in the nest.”

“Can’t it be both?” Sunstreaker demanded.

Soundwave’s chest exploded with warmth. He curled his fingers around Sideswipe’s hand and gave it a squeeze as he reached for Sunstreaker with the other. “Tomorrow,” he agreed on a murmur, and they both shone with twin spikes of delight. “It can be both.”

"Ooo, you tease," Sideswipe purred, and leaned in to nuzzle a kiss at his ear. "I'm going to be thinking about that promise for the rest of the day."

Soundwave chuckled. "That the point."

The sky rumbled again and the first splatter of a cold drop landed on Soundwave's forehead when he glanced up.

"Time to go," Sunstreaker said. He started urging them away from the clearing with all haste.

Mud was not Sunstreaker's friend, and the path they took to get here would become mud the moment rain soaked the ground. Soundwave knew he'd grumble about mud in his talons, mud in their tailfeathers, but then he'd take a special delight in scrubbing all three of them clean in the baths.

It was tempting, but Soundwave let Sunstreaker hustle them anyway, as did Sideswipe, though he couldn't resist teasing his brother on the way.

"A little rain isn't going to kill us. It's not like it's poison," Sideswipe said as he skipped ahead, delight spiking around him in infectious waves.

"If you fall and bruise yourself, I'm going to laugh," Sunstreaker retorted. He kept close to Soundwave's side, occasionally pointing out potential tripping hazards.

They were adorable.

Thank Adaptus he'd finally said yes.

They parted ways at Soundwave's office, each twin offering him a kiss that threatened to linger until Buzzsaw appeared in the doorway and made a grumbling noise about all of the work that was piling up.

"Didn't realize he was the task-master around here," Sideswipe teased as he grabbed Soundwave's hand and gave it a squeeze. "See you later."

"I had fun," Sunstreaker added as he pressed a chaste kiss to Soundwave's cheek, and then they were both gone down the hall.

"Hmph," Buzzsaw said as he scampered up to Soundwave's shoulder and perched there as though annoyed his usual seat hadn't been available as of late. "They're so noisy."

“You disapprove?” Soundwave asked as he stepped back into his office.

“He’d better not!” Laserbeak’s tart tone greeted him seconds before she launched herself from his desk to perch on his other shoulder. “I’ll nip him if he does.”

Buzzsaw sniffed.

“He’s inclined to his own opinion,” Soundwave reminded her as he navigated back behind his desk, finding where he’d left off by touch alone.

“It’s the wrong opinion,” Laserbeak muttered. She nipped at Soundwave’s ear and shuffled closer. “Tell me all about it! How did the date go? What’s happening next?”

“You’re too nosy,” Buzzsaw complained.

“I just want to know,” Laserbeak retorted and tugged on Soundwave’s ear this time, trying to get his attention. “C’mon. You can tell me. I can keep a secret. We’ll just throw Buzzsaw out.”

Soundwave chuckled. “Some things I’ll keep to myself, flitterling,” he said. “Help me with work?”

Buzzsaw harrumphed, and his talons flexed on Soundwave’s shoulder in a show of irritation. “I’m staying,” he said.

“Well, so am I.” Laserbeak hopped down from Soundwave’s shoulder and returned to the desk, shuffling through the papers. “Work on this one first, brother. Megatron brought it by while you were out.”

Soundwave sighed. He would much rather be back in the woods with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, curled up on that blanket, sharing numerous heated kisses.

But work would have to do for now.

There was always tomorrow.

***