Transformers The Hatchling

A New Nest

Stormchaser's POV

A week had passed since the chaos with the scraplets, and I had been waiting for this moment. The moment I could finally build a safe space for myself my nest. The new materials had arrived from the crates, stacked neatly in the center of my berth room. Fowler's trucks had delivered them quickly with Optimus's urging, and now the work began.

I stood among the piles of materials, feeling the anticipation bubble inside me. This was going to be my sanctuary—a place I could rest, a place where I could retreat and feel safe. The old nest had been small and cramped, not enough for someone my size. And after everything that had happened, I needed something bigger, something stronger, and above all, something that *felt like home.*

I began by tearing open the boxes, the satisfying sound of cardboard and metal crinkling filling the air. My claws dug into the edges, pulling them apart with ease, revealing the contents inside. Metal sheets, blankets, mattresses, pillows everything I would need to make my nest perfect.

Pink, ever the curious one, was hovering a little too close to my pile of metal. Her bright, inquisitive eyes followed my every move as I began to sort the materials. She wasn't as understanding of my process, though, and when I saw her getting too close to the sharp metal edges, I gently picked her up. I placed her on top of the mountain of soft blankets, knowing she'd be much safer there.

"Stay there, Pink," I growled softly, my tone a mixture of annoyance and protection. My nest was serious work, and I couldn't afford any distractions.

"What is she doing?" Pink asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"She's laying the foundation of the nest. Don't get too close, Miko," Ratchet replied, his voice steady and instructive. The others were content to stay out of the way, but Pink, as always, seemed determined to help—though her "help" was mostly handing me the wrong materials, which, while sweet, was also incredibly annoying.

"No, Storm let us in all the time before," Pink said, oblivious to the challenge at hand.

I paused to glance at her, shaking my head. No, this was my nest. It had to be right, and I couldn't risk anything getting in the way. My claws hummed as I worked the metal, gently melting it with a continuous stream of flame until it was soft enough to mold into shape. It glowed a brilliant red, sizzling with heat as I carefully shaped the base of the nest, making sure everything would fit perfectly.

"Oh, that's why. Cool! Do you think she'll let us help with the blankets and pillows?" Pink asked, her voice hopeful.

The question made me pause for a moment, but deep down, I knew the answer. No. The blankets and pillows were the final touch, the last piece of comfort, and I wanted them to be perfect. It was my nest, after all. It had to be just right.

I continued shaping the metal, using my claws with precision, bending and twisting it as it cooled. The foundation was massive now, the perfect base for my new home. Once I had the base secured, I moved on to the next step: the borders. This time, I wanted something different—something more expansive. Instead of a simple edge, I crafted a dome, curving the metal into an arch, making the walls high enough to give me room to stretch.

The entrance was wide enough for me to get through easily, and I added small circles in the walls to let light and heat in. The design was both practical and beautiful, and I couldn't help but admire it as I worked. The border took hours to complete—larger than the old nest, but still feeling intimate, like a cozy cave that would keep me safe.

Pink, bless her heart, kept trying to help, handing me pieces of metal that didn't quite fit the design, but at least she kept herself busy. The others stayed out of the way, thankfully, allowing me the space I needed to focus on the structure. Eventually, Pink got bored and dragged the rest of the younglings outside, which was just as well. It gave me the quiet I needed to finish the nest without any more interruptions.

When the structure was finally done, I moved on to the lining. The mattresses came first—soft, feathery, and delicate. I handled them with care, making sure not to tear or rip them. I laid them out across the floor of the nest, then piled extras in certain areas, creating a supportive and comfortable base. The pillows came next—brightly colored, soft, and plush. They filled in the gaps, making the nest feel even more inviting. It was already a soft paradise, but the blankets were the final touch.

The blankets went over the top, soft and warm, creating a cocoon of comfort. The nest was now complete. It was large, spacious, and, most importantly, *safe*. The old sofa and cramped corner I'd once used as a resting place were nothing compared to this new nest. It was perfect.

But as I finished, a nagging feeling crept in. The nightmares of the scraplet invasion still haunted me. The fear of being trapped, helpless, *eaten alive* in my own nest... It was a fear I couldn't shake. I couldn't sleep without waking in the middle of the night, heart racing, body trembling from the terror of it all. It wasn't the dark I feared anymore, but the *scraplets*. The memory of those creatures, their gnashing teeth, their insatiable hunger—it still made my spark freeze.

Shaking off the thought, I decided it was time to show the others my work. If the younglings wanted to stay over, they could sleep in my nest. It was far more comfortable than the old sofa, and there was more than enough room for all of us.

I found the Autobots gathered around the ground bridge, troubleshooting a circuit issue. Ratchet was muttering to himself, already focused on the repairs. "Damn those scraplets. This circuit needs replacing, fried like the other two. Bulkhead, add it to the list of repairs I need to do."

I didn't waste time. I stomped forward, slamming my front legs into the floor with enough force to get everyone's attention. The impact sent a ripple through the room, and they all turned to look at me.

"Storm must be finished by now. About time—she's been working on it all day," Pink called out, her voice bright with excitement.

"If it ends up being comfier than my bed, I'm moving in. Bulkhead, help me move my stuff," Pink added with a playful grin.

"Like hell she is. I'll send her on a one-way ground bridge to Tokyo once it's operational," Ratchet shot back, though there was no malice in his tone. It was the usual banter.

I led them all toward my new nest, the Autobots following behind with the younglings excitedly trailing me. When we reached the entrance, Pink was the first to slide down the ramp into the nest. She landed in a soft pile of pillows, a delighted squeal escaping her.

"This is so cool! Hey guys, get in here!" Pink shouted, her excitement infectious.

The others followed suit, sliding into the nest, with Tall and Small laughing as they jumped around on the mattresses, clearly enjoying the space. I couldn't help but watch them, content with the knowledge that they were safe and happy in my new home.

"This is much bigger than the last nest," Arcee said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "Looks good."

I beamed, basking in the compliment. Arcee didn't give praise freely, so hearing it from her meant a lot. Bulkhead, ever the enthusiastic one, walked around the nest, inspecting the structure with the precision of a construction bot.

"I'm actually jealous. Great build, Storm. You make this old construction bot proud," he chuckled, his voice booming with approval.

Optimus was the last to approach, his steps slow and deliberate as he examined my work. He placed a large hand on my neck, his touch gentle yet firm.

"You did good, Storm," Optimus said, his voice warm and approving.

I purred, closing my optics in contentment as I leaned into his touch. I didn't need more than that. His words meant everything to me.

Bumblebee came in, too, happily exploring the inside of the nest, though his movements were more cautious, as if he was trying not to disturb the peaceful space. I stepped aside, stretching my wings, then curled up in a quiet corner, watching them all enjoy the nest. My work was done.

Tired from all the effort, I finally crawled into the nest and stretched out. The soft cushions and warmth of the blankets enveloped me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt at peace. As the younglings played, I closed my optics and drifted into a well-deserved nap.