Complex Robotics

Nadir

"Saving me!" I interrupted fiercely, "Hiding me, wrapping up my wounds, and taking care of me! You said it was all for Sideswipe, so that he wouldn't be devastated and miserable! You went through all this trouble for me, but in the end you left me at a gas station the moment the circumstances change! I know how bad you want to see your brother, trust me, I do! He's your only family, as far as I'm concerned. You love him and you'll do anything to protect him and anything to be with him...don't you think I feel the same way about my family?"

My voice was so soft by the time I was done ranting that it was barely over a whisper. But I knew Sunstreaker heard every word I said, so I didn't care. His gaze wasn't on me either. His arms were crossed, and he was glaring circles into the ground.

I scoffed, shaking my head to myself, "What am I even saying? Of course you don't care. You hate humans, me especially. How could I forget that? You drill it into me every time I try to be friendly or caring to you. My mistake."

The tense silence in the air was so thick that it was almost suffocating. But I stood my ground, my arms crossed as I stared at Sunstreaker. By the look on his troubled face, I could tell he was having a heated internal debate. The silence went on, and I apprehensively shifted my weight from one leg to the other.

Finally, the terse silence was broken.

"Fine." Sunstreaker uttered. It was said without any hints of malice or irritation, and I was a little wary.

"You sure?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "I'm not trying to slow you down or stop you from finding Sideswipe. You don't have to stay."

"I am staying. Don't make me reconsider it." He said firmly.

I couldn't help the small smile that curved the edges of my lips. I don't know why I was so happy that he was staying, "I won't."

Giving an exasperated sigh, his holoform disintegrated, leaving those shimmering blue sparks in his wake. I stared at them for a moment, enticed by their iridescence, before I finally walked over to the Lambo. The door flew open automatically, and I slipped inside. As soon as I was buckled, his powerful engine roared to life, and he followed behind my mother's car.

"Alright, somebody's gonna tell me what the slag just happened, since someone over here locked me in his alt mode!" Quickshift grumbled loudly, from the driver's seat. He climbed over into my lap and looked up at me expectantly with those wide silver eyes.

"Sorry Peanut," I teased softly, "There are too many humans out, and you can't be exposed."

The red minibot pouted, "Doesn't mean ya gotta leave me trapped with Dark And Broody."

Sunstreaker's engine growled."I can still squish you, you little runt." His voice crackled over the dashboard.

Quickshift actually ignored the larger transformer, and instead focused on me with his arms on his hips, "So...ya gonna tell me what happened?"

I smiled down at him, petting the top of his head affectionately, "We reached an understanding."

His engine gave an indignant rev.

"...Of some sorts."

A few hours later, we arrived at a hotel I assumed my mom and Colton were staying at. Quickshift wasn't very excited about having to stay in Sunstreaker while we rest, but a promise to play hide and seek with him later had him satisfied. I was surprised when Sunstreaker's holoform materialized and stepped out of the driver's seat. His sapphire eyes scrutinized the small building as my family climbed out of the 4Runner.

"You're coming in?" I asked, not at all hiding the disbelief in my voice.

He gave a curt nod, and crossed his arms when he was done scrutinizing our environment. I couldn't help but smile at the way his lips pursed in a small pout. It was actually kind of...cute. Hiding my smile, I waved Quickshift goodbye before following my mother and brother through the sliding double doors and into the lobby. It was definitely a contrast from the dim, cluttered warehouse.