Of This Life and the Next

Chapter 15 : Let's Catch Up

Location: Diego Garcia

Time: 11:30 A.M

It had already been a couple of hours since the A.R.K’s arrival, and after making their respected introductions, Optimus, Ratchet and Ironhide excused themselves so as to reunite with their families in private.

Whirl was practically bursting with excitement as she led her parents through the ship, towards the couple’s quarters. Her voice bounced off the empty hall’s walls as she happily chattered away about the events Ironhide missed over the past two years.

Chromia smiled in amusement as her mate nodded along to whatever their daughter was babbling about. It was obvious the mech was just happy to hear the femmeling’s voice while being in her presence again, never mind the fact that the femme kept bringing up a certain medic in training…

“-and then, I beat Glow’s record for fastest time through the obstacle course!” While bragged with a proud smirk, “I sure wiped the smirk off her face that day!”

“Whirl, don’t gloat.” Chromia chastised softly. She had no problem in showing some pride in one’s accomplishments, but she absolutely could not stand when someone waved their wins while putting the loser -or losers- down…no matter how unbearable the loosing party usually acts. Be a good winner was always Chromia’s philosophy.

Whirl quickly covered her mouth as she remembered her mother’s pet peeve, “Sorry, carrier!” she apologized.

The older femme’s interjection seemed to be enough to bring Ironhide out of whatever trance he was in, because he brought a hand up and placed it on his mate’s lower back, “ ‘Mia-”

Chromia fixed her mate with a no-nonsense look, which made the mech reconsider his next words.

“Actually…” Ironhide’s optics roamed side to side as he chose his next words wisely, “your carrier’s right. Gloating isn’t good for a police-bot in training.” He looked to his mate, who nodded in approval.

“Oh…sorry.” Whirl repeated.

Ironhide gave a single nod in acknowledgement.

Not missing a beat, Whirl opened her mouth to continue onto her next accomplishment, when her father cut her off.

“Unless of course, you’re gloating about taking down a few dozen Decepticons, then by all means, gloat away.” He said casually.

“Ironhide!” Chromia hissed.

“What? It’s not like they don’t do the same in regards to us!” Ironhide argued. He jerked his head in Whirl’s direction, “You think they won’t go around bragging if they did something to…to…” his optics flashed to the blue femmeling, who stared back with innocent optics. He glanced back at his mate, “You know they would.” He said with finality.

Chromia pursed her lips to argue, but then deflated when she realized her mate was right.

They would do something like that…

Whirl however, wasn’t sold on the thought, “Blackout, Grindor and Dropkick wouldn’t do that.” She said as they neared her parent’s quarters, “At least, not to me…I don’t think…” she trailed off at the end, not truly sure if she believed that.

Ironhide tensed as his daughter pointed out the mechs by name, “How would you know?” he asked suspiciously. Chromia eyed her, equally wary.