Sunstreaker's Charge ✔️

Ch. 34 Friday

Lily's P.O.V.
I'm almost done with the work I missed, and I should have everything finished by Monday. I could have it done today, but I want to finish the painting with Sunstreaker.
I don't know if I'll be caught up to not need summer school, but I hope so.

The others are waiting for Drift and me. I realize Crosshairs doesn't have to be around unless he still thinks Sunstreaker will hurt me. Considering how everyone else avoids me, I shouldn't say anything, but...
"Are you only around because you think Sunstreaker will hurt me?" I ask Crosshairs as the others go into the cafeteria.
"No, I can keep you safe without being around him, but Sunstreaker is trying to be nice to you. You don't know his full history, but you know enough to know this is hard for him. For him to be this determined says something."
We meet the others before they worry. Oddly, Crosshairs is trying to hint at something, and Sunstreaker seems nervous. We're just finishing our painting; this is weird.

"We should be able to finish today," Sunstreaker guesses as he looks at the painting, "in time for our dinner together. In hangar E."
I don't know if I'm supposed to think this is a date, but I like this idea. We'll work on the painting until four — which I think should be done by then — and meet at the hangar at five.

As we work on the painting, I realize I'm right; this is the exact spot by the lake in some of my dreams. The other painting is the exact view from the mountain in other dreams. Even if this is what Sunstreaker likes to paint, this is weird.
"What's that look for?" Sunstreaker asks.
"Uh, nothing. I love your work."
No way I can tell him now.

Our time together flew by. I was able to convince Sunstreaker to keep going at five. He'd tell me if he has a patrol, he's planning something.

I return to my room, wondering if I should change. Trying to figure out what Sunstreaker could be up to aside from a date, he said nothing about dressing nicely.
To my surprise, Lightning comes by.
"Uh, yeah, I've been asked to get you to dress nicely, but you don't have to," she explains, revealing she has my only dress.
"Oh, great, so my parents know what's happening."
"They're going to have to, and your brother who gave me the dress to bring you. I think he knows what's going on."
"I-I don't know if I want to hear him say it. Not with everyone avoiding me while we're trying to be friends. If they know we're dating...."
"Didn't my brother or Drift tell you about the meeting Optimus had? There's still some uncertainty if you should befriend Sunstreaker, but Optimus told everyone to give Sunstreaker a chance and stop avoiding you."
It must have been the meeting that Crosshairs and Drift defended Sunstreaker at. That was a week ago. I wonder if Drift is behind the lack of contact with the others. The fact I'm going back to school plays a role in the lack of seeing others even after the meeting.

Lightning is still waiting as I walk out of the bathroom. I didn't think she'd wait since she's like most of the Autobots, uncertain if I should befriend Sunstreaker, which means she's concerned about us dating.
"Sunstreaker is going to be shocked," Lightning comments, "you know everyone is going to worry about your safety but will try to support you two."
We realize I'm five minutes late.

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
We all agreed to not call this a date, but did the idea to see if Lily would wear a dress ruin this? Lightning would have texted Crosshairs if there was a problem.
"Geez, it's weird seeing you worry," Sideswipe comments.
"Come on, she should be here soon," Drift insists.
Everyone leaves. Mirage is waiting for his cue.

I asked Lightning to have Lily come here blindfolded. Everyone believes Lily will love how I set things up as if we are on a date.
I am anxious and think I can't believe I fell for a human, and she's twelve years old. Even if she'll live a lot longer than most humans, this still feels strange.

"Ok, here we are," Lightning smiles and removes the blindfold.
"Oh wow," Lily exclaims.
I set up a nice table with candles in the center and around the table. Far enough to walk around without worrying about knocking a candle down.
Lightning leaves the hangar as I take Lily's hand and lead her to the table. I send Mirage the text he's waiting for once Lily and I are seated.
"You look beautiful," I smile. Happy Lily wore the dress.
Luke told me Lily struggles to accept compliments, and she only smiles. I should know more about the bullying she dealt with, but Luke will not give me the details. Lily is an interesting femme.

Mirage didn't want to dress nicely as he brings our dinner. It's a little walk from the cafeteria to this hangar, so he got a cart. Hus dinner presentation is like when room service is ordered at a hotel.
He smiles at me before leaving, but I'm considering backing out of the plan.
Nervous about telling her how you feel about her? It's strange to feel fear from you. Sideswipe says through the bond.
I know she's told you, Crosshairs, and Drift how she feels about me. She shouldn't say anything negative, but...
You'll be fine. This is going to go well.

Mirage wanted to take care of dinner, including a dessert. Then I'm hoping Lily will want to go for a walk to the park nearby. Under the full moon...
Are you visualizing a kiss under the full moon? Sideswipe questions. Good, now make it happen.
Neither Lily nor I know what to talk about. There's not much going on, and Lily doesn't want to tell me about school or her only friend. I will not ask her about the bullying she deals with.
Lily loves what I planned for dinner. I let Mirage plan dessert. Knowing I gave him permission to make anything heart-shaped.

Sure enough, Mirage made a heart-shaped cake in a good size for two to share and frosted it pink. Lily smiles, seeing what Mirage did. The table is a good size that I can reach her, and I try not to shake as I get a bite of cake to feed Lily. She goes along with this, smiling.
I wish I could feel her emotions.
I have to lean forward a little for Lily to feed me a bite of the cake before we cut the cake in half.

I wasn't sure if Lily would watch a movie in her room with me until it's closer to sunset, but she does and lays on me while I'm lying on the couch.
The time flies by. Lily is still enjoying our time together and likes going for a walk around the park.

She takes my hand as we walk down the hall toward the main entrance. I thought only some would be in their rooms. Not everyone works past five on a Saturday, but even so, Autobots and soldiers are walking around. Lily becomes tense, afraid we're going to be stopped and scolded. Autobots and soldiers look at us as they walk by. I hope this doesn't last long.

After a little time with the ducks, Lily and I sit on a bench. Even while in the city, this is a beautiful sight.
"Hmm, would this be a nice painting?" Lily asks.
"Anything can be a painting, but this would have to be done fast unless you don't mind using a picture as a reference."
She leans on me, not moving as the sky gets darker. I thought she had fallen asleep until she comments about the lack of stars. Maybe it was an hour's nap.
"But look at that full moon," I point to the sky.
I take her hand and lead her to the pond. The moon reflects on the water, "look how beautiful it is."
"Why are you so afraid to just admit you love me?"
I can't believe she said that.
"Of course, I'm in love with you; is that so surprising? I thought I was being obvious, considering my history. I only regret not loving you sooner."
"You're not as bad as people say you are." "Hey, keep that a secret. I have a reputation to uphold."
"I know, a tough fighter, but—."
I lift her up and kiss her on the lips. 
She hugs me and wraps her legs around my waist. I'm hoping Mirage is spying on us and is taking a picture.
"I... can't believe that just happened," Lily smiles.
"So, are we?"
"I love you; I want you to be mine even if you're technically thousands of years older than me, but... most of the others....."
"We have the support that'll help us deal with the others. Optimus will deal with them if he has to. I'll fight them if I have to. I love you."

Lily is getting tired. I carry her back to the base, but I'm not staying in her room yet.
There's still more to work on and at least one more conversation we need to have that I know Lily is not looking forward to. We'll be in trouble if we don't talk to Lily's parents about our relationship.