Sunstreaker's Charge ✔️

Ch. 32 He Left

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
Seven is the planned time to watch T.V. and get Lily to relax. I was expecting Drift to tell me I can't join them like last night, but he wants me to join them. None of us thought Lily would make herself comfortable lying on me, and I don't think she could force herself to do this, even if she's only feeling confused rather than afraid.

Lily fell asleep on me, and I'd rather put her to bed before talking to Drift. It's not like Lily is ready for me to stay in her room, and I wish I could stay and help her if she has nightmares.
"I don't know what I can do to show you I love you. I will not hurt you or any human close to you."
Then I realize what triggered the nightmare, but she doesn't know my history of killing humans. Just that one fragger. All because she's back to school, seeing her friend.
"What happened?" Sideswipe asks, worried.
"This will not work," I sigh and try to walk away, but Drift stops me, "she remembers watching me kill one human that kidnapped her. Although we could argue that was a good killing, Lily thinks I'll kill her only friend from school. Unless... she knows what I've done since I've been on Earth."
"I don't think so," Crosshairs claims, "she's been with Sideswipe or Drift and me, and the others are avoiding her. Until the past weekend when Ironhide talked to her."
"And he's only been expressing how worried he is about her safety," I add, "unless that's what did it?"
"I advise we don't ask her," Drift comments, "I can't figure out what's going through her mind. Since she's not frightened and trying to avoid you. I don't think now is a good time to meet her friend."
I hate hearing how uncertain Drift is about our next move, and I feel his guilt and displeasure not having an answer.
"It's fine; try not to stay up all night figuring out a plan... F? I don't know —."
"Oh, I forgot, Lily was not pleased you didn't come by with her breakfast this morning, Sunstreaker," Sideswipe comments.
This adds to Drift's uncertainty, but he says I can get Lily breakfast and stay with her during breakfast if she wants. Tomorrow is Only Wednesday, and I'm impatiently waiting for the weekend.

Lily's P.O.V.
"Hey," Sunstreaker smiles, standing in the hallway, "can I come in?"
I see he got breakfast for both of us.
"You want me to stay?" Sideswipe asks.
Sunstreaker's smile disappears.
"No, out!" I shove Sideswipe out of the room. Sunstreaker laughs, seeing how shocked Sideswipe is.
"Fine," Sideswipe sulks and leaves.
Sunstreaker and I sit on the couch. I don't know what to say. I know I shouldn't tell him how I feel while still having a confused mind. Rather than having a nightmare, I had a nice dream last night.
"I can tell something is troubling you," Sunstreaker comments, "I will not hurt you or anyone you know. I'll never know your friend if that's what you want," I don't know what to say. Whenever I think I should tell him how I feel, I think about how he killed a human. Even if it was to save me. The way he seems to enjoy killing. It's just creepy, "I don't know what else I can say, but....," Sunstreaker trails off, moves me into his lap, and hugs me. I lean on him to hear his heartbeat.
Our time is up, and I have to get ready for school. I didn't think Sunstreaker would stay in the room, and Sideswipe returned to take me to school.

Sunstreaker follows us to the hangar, and oddly, so does Drift. Sunstreaker is up to something.
"What are you doing, Sunstreaker?" Sideswipe asks.
"Uh... hoping I can take her to school," Sunstreaker says as he removes his gun, "here, I know it's still a risk, but it has to be done," he explains while handing Sideswipe his gun and knife, "there's no way I can kill anyone now, ok?" He asks me.
He could still transform and shoot humans. Unless he doesn't want his cover blown. I look at Drift, still uncertain about this.
"Go ahead, Lily," Drift smiles.
I doubt Drift would agree just to avoid a fight with Sunstreaker.

It's a quiet ten-minute ride to school. I don't know what to talk about that won't distract me all day.
Sunstreaker says nothing as I rush out of his alt mode, but I see his disappointment before he drives away.
"Who was that?" Veronica asks.
"Don't worry about it," I tell her before entering the girls' bathroom. Veronica doesn't follow me.
I have ten minutes before my first class to text Drift. Hoping he can help me relax.

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
I knew Lily wouldn't talk to me, but I still didn't like how quiet the drive was. I try not to worry until I see Drift talking on the phone as I pull into the hangar, getting the feeling he's talking to Lily. I sit on the hood of my alt mode and wait.

"... it's ok; he will not hurt you or anyone else."
Wonder if Lily is tired of hearing that. I don't know how to show her she doesn't have to worry aside from leaving Earth.

After I retrieve my gun and knife from Sideswipe, I hear towards Optimus' office. I come across a meeting in the hallway by the offices.
"... three days tops," Mirage concludes.
"Very well, but I want you to have a partner," Optimus insists.
"I'll go," I jump in, "I think it's better for Lily. Mirage said three days, not return to Cybertron."
I knew Optimus would still argue, but I didn't think Mirage would agree I can come with him. Optimus doesn't think it's a great idea but allows me to go with Mirage.
I still expect Mirage to lecture me about trying to befriend Lily for the next three days.

Sideswipe's P.O.V.
I watch Sunstreaker and Mirage leave, hoping Crosshairs and Drift won't be enraged that Sunstreaker didn't talk to them first — or at least Drift.

I can't keep it a secret that Sunstreaker left with Mirage. Crosshairs and Drift are more displeased that Sunstreaker left, believing he's uncertain what else to do.
"Leave him alone," Drift tells us, "I suspect he'll be thinking about his next move with Lily during the trip."
"I feel sadness and uncertainty from him," I tell the two, "he's been like that since Lily became terrified of him. With the occasional happiness when we think things are getting better, he's afraid to tell her how he feels about her."
"She's the same way," Drift says, "Rung is right, these two need to talk to each other, and they want to do it while alone, but then they both become anxious. I hate not having any ideas on how to help them."

Lily is happy when I pick her up, and I can avoid telling her that Sunstreaker has left for now. She talks about finishing the painting with Sunstreaker after dinner.

I can inform Drift before he goes with Lily to the conference room so she can work on her homework. I will film her reaction to finding out Sunstreaker is on a mission. No doubt she'll know he left rather than Sunstreaker was assigned to the mission.

While I figured Lily would be upset, I didn't think I'd see tears. Drift knows I'm recording this as Lily tells us she's not happy Sunstreaker left and thinks Sunstreaker will go home to Cybertron after the mission. Even Drift didn't think Lily would talk about how much she loves Sunstreaker, but her mind is still confused.
Luke is standing by me as this is happening.
"I know you think the brotherly thing to do is to calm her down, but she doesn't want anyone else to know. It's better if you leave before she knows," I whisper, "sorry."
"You're right; I know she'll not like having her older brother butt in when she's not ready. I'm happy not all Autobots are avoiding her. One day, we'll be watching her and Sunstreaker in love."
Luke walks away before Lily sees him. She's occupied with hugging Drift as she cries.

"Do I need to cut some footage out?" I whisper to Drift, "I filmed everything. Sunstreaker will get her love confession if I don't cut the video."
"That could help him not be afraid to tell Lily how he feels," Crosshairs points out, "but it's also a risk."
"Sunstreaker is aware and will be careful. Add that to the video, though, Sideswipe."
The three of us worry Lily will be depressed when Mirage and Sunstreaker return. This is going to be a long three days.