Haven ✔️

The Unknown

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
Another month of the same routine passes. Jamie is getting her energy back, but she can't workout yet. Ratchet allows her to go in the pool but still sets limits. It'll be something different, and the hot tub is also allowed. The situation with Lily is unchanged. I don't know if Lily knows what's been happening. She doesn't say anything when I call her. There's nothing I can do to get her back here sooner than the new year. I know I should be worrying about Jamie, but I hate this. Hard to not think Jamie is only doing stuff with me because she's recovering from surgery. So when she comes back next year...
Will you stop worrying? Sideswipe asks.
No, I will not stop worrying!

Luke tells me he's trying to convince his parents to let Lily come stay at the base after Christmas day.
"I just don't get it. They let Lily and I be together, or was that just what we thought with the rules, but it was until she recovered from everything she dealt with?" I ask Luke.
"I don't know. I thought they saw Lily would be safe here and with you."
Forget the plan for today. I want to be left alone.

Drift's P.O.V.
It's concerning seeing tears roll down Sunstreaker's face as he walks by me and for him not to care that others will see that.
"Bad news?" I ask Luke.
"I say yeah, even though it's not entirely. Lily is allowed back here in the new year, maybe after Christmas day. I don't think there's anything else I can do."
"I don't think I'll be any help either. Telling your parents about Jamie and how Sunstreaker had to work to befriend her. It was hard for him, but the reason why it was hard this time won't help."
Luke hates having no more ideas. He doesn't think the issue is his parents think Lily would no longer be safe at the base. Jamie now feels like the base is a safe place away from the scrap in her dimension again. Sunstreaker just can't get a break.

I go into the twins' room. Sunstreaker lies on his bed. Sunstreaker looks at me but doesn't get up. I sit on the bed.
"Just don't," he says, "there's no point arguing my sire is wrong because he's right. Even Lily's parents are rethinking Lily being safe here."
Damn it, there's nothing I can say. Not even to Lily's parents. I don't think arguing Lily will be safe will be enough. If they don't believe that. Jamie will be leaving in a month for the holidays. He'll be waiting until the new year for both femmes to return, wondering if they will.
Sideswipe and Jamie walk into the room, not liking what they see. I don't stop Jamie from getting on the bed and hugging Sunstreaker, who hugs her.
I didn't think Jamie would promise to be back. However, not including a specific timeframe may not be helpful. Even if Lily can return after Christmas, I don't know if Sunstreaker will be ok. It will be a while before he is ok with his friends leaving. I'm happy there are things I can do to help Sunstreaker. However, it's not helping Sunstreaker's fear his friends won't come back.
"You sure there isn't anything else we can do?" Sideswipe asks, "I don't think calling and texting will help him."
"I can't promise anything, but I can see if he can come to Jamie's dimension. I don't think Jamie can return between the two holidays."
"Oh, scrap, I didn't even think about that. I hope she'll be ok."
"I'm not looking forward to her heartbreak. We've only heard stories about the dogs being spoiled. Jayce didn't tell us we needed to stay with Jamie until March. The first Christmas without Buddy was rough."

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
I hear what the two are saying. I didn't even think about how Jamie loved spoiling her dog. Not even when she was depressed three days ago. The day Buddy had to be put to sleep last year. All the more reason I hate she's leaving, and I can't come with her. I know there's not much.
I didn't think you heard all that. Sideswipe says through the bond.
I can't believe I forgot about her dog being put down until now. Explains the sudden depression two days ago. Luckily, she's ok right now.
The issue I caused has been resolved, but we're not at a good place where I don't have to wonder if Jamie will be back, even with all the other Autobots here. I do not think she'll avoid me when she comes back is any better.
"Sunstreaker?" I hear Jamie, "weren't we supposed to go swimming?"
"It's early enough," I hear Drift.
We decide to go to the pool room until lunch. Ninety minutes is good for today. Jamie might be bored by then since she's only to relax in the pool.

Interestingly, Jamie isn't interested in wearing a bikini. She chooses a grey T-shirt and black shorts. I've never seen a human femme wear water shoes.
I didn't think Jamie would want me to carry her around in the pool rather than Drift. Drift smiles seeing this, but I don't think he put her up to this.
No one said anything. Sideswipe confirms.

The pool is heated, but the water still feels a little cold. I sit on the last step with Jamie for a while. Crosshairs, Drift, and Lightning sit with us while Sideswipe swims around. Jamie watches, not pleased she can't swim yet. Drift would have suggested something if there was an Earth pool game we could play.
After a while, I make my way into chest-deep water. Jamie is relaxed. This lasts a good half-hour before Jamie is bored.

"I think she'll need a nap after lunch," Sideswipe guesses.
We're waiting for Jamie and her guardians by the cafeteria.
"Oh, I got some pictures," Lightning says and shows me her phone, "she does look ready for a nap."
Lightning sends me the pictures just as our friends meet us. My problem now is struggling not to think once Jamie goes home, it's the end of our friendship. Add with Lily's parents possibly changing their minds and going to tell Lily and me our relationship can't work; I have a valid reason to worry I'll be starting over with Jamie.