Under the dim light of her desk lamp, (Y/N) has her focus buried deep in the stacks of papers. She goes through every word one by one, trying to find any clues that can inform her on the so-called 'mastermind'. She had exerted every resource; locations she remembered from her childhood, people who were involved with the orphanage, but still she's no closer to convicting one man who had torn her away from her beloved brother. She drops the paper in her hand to run her fingers through her hair, sighing in frustration.
The phone on her side hasn't stopped ringing for the past hour. (Y/N) took a hesitant glance, seeing Jack's name on the display. It stops, showing the 15 missed calls notification on her screen. After discovering the revelation, she can't bear to see or hear him; not now, not when Smokescreen occupies her mind day and night.
To (Y/N)'s surprise, instead of another call, Jack left her a voicemail.
"Hey, I hope you're okay."
She bites on her lower lip, trying to repress the emotions threatening to surface when she decides to listen to what Jack has to say.
"These past weeks have been rough on me; you too, I'm sure."
'Rough' is just putting it mildly.
"I don't know why you're not answering my calls, but in case you're listening to this: I miss you, a lot."
(Y/N) hears the trembling in Jack's voice; subtle, but there. She has known him long enough to notice, and it sounds painful.
"Are we okay, (Y/N)? Did I do or say something wrong that upsets you? .... Just, talk to me, please."
She tries to gather the papers and slip them into her folder, and instead of putting it neatly on the desk, she finds herself gripping it tightly. Once again, tears threatened to fall from her (e/c) irises.
"You know I love you and will always be there to support you; your happiness is mine, too, and I hope you will be reunited with Smokescreen soon."
Then, hell breaks loose. The young woman threw the folder across the room, making the papers fly everywhere. Her legs wobble as she tries to lean against the wall. What comes next is a scream amidst her tears, sliding down the wall until (Y/N) can hug her own knees. She screams and cries without care, pulling on her own strands of hair desperately. The apartment feels even colder and lonelier; it's not because she has been living here by herself for a while, nor because of the small opening of the window that allows some night breeze to enter.
Smokescreen is really gone. The thought runs through her head, again and again.
(Y/N) lays on her side on the cold floor, eyes puffy and throat dry from the screaming and crying. On times like these, Jack would be sitting on the floor with her; to comfort her, to let her know that she's not alone. On the back of her mind, she had hoped that it's the case, but the hard truth hit her, and she is forced to deal with the circumstance.
Giving in to the exhaustion, (Y/N) finally closes her eyes and drifts into a quiet slumber.
---
(Y/N) goes to the court for the preliminary meeting first thing in the morning. She sits on the passenger side next to Bumblebee in his patrol car, silence filling their ride. As it is a morning in weekday, traffic is expected. They have been stuck in a red light for almost five minutes now.
"Thanks for giving me a ride, Bee." She finally make her presence known, clutching onto the folder on her lap.
Bumblebee shrugs, offering a genuine smile towards her. "Hey, there's no need for that." He replies earnestly. "I told you I got your back."
The young woman smiles in return, her first for the past few days. Her gaze wanders to the sight of skyscrapers they pass by, thinking about the possibility of meeting Starscream again in court. Can she stay calm and collected this time? Can she act professionally as a lawyer in front of the man who stole everything? She has not talked to her parents nor Magnus before deciding on the date of the prosecution; perhaps, she thinks to herself, she should've discussed about it with them first.
"I heard from one of the guys in court," Bumblebee speaks up after a while, "that the judges are doubting your neutrality on the case."
(Y/N) sighs; of course, they are.
"And?"
"And they're wondering if they should proceed the case with you as the prosecutor in fear of personal vendetta."
Bumblebee parks the car near the entrance to the court for ease of access. Both of them got out of the car, and he follows (Y/N) from behind. They go through the usual security checks before ending up in a waiting room just outside the judge's office.
"Then they think wrong." She replies at last. "And I will prove them wrong--"
From the corner of her eyes, (Y/N) spots a figure walking closer towards their direction. Her eyes widen at the sight of familiarity; she cannot mistake that blue haired woman anywhere.
Arcee stands before them, gazing down on the floor and hugging her own arms tightly. Out of all people, (Y/N) never expected her to be here inside the courthouse. Bumblebee, noticing the sudden turn of events, stands up and gestures at Arcee to take his spot next to (Y/N).
"I, uh, I'll go get some coffee for you guys." He excuses himself and walks away from them.
The two women sits next to each other in awkward silence. The last time they were together like this, (Y/N) found out about Smokescreen's fate. It's (Y/N) who finally breaks the silence and turns to face Arcee.
"What are you--"
"Is--Is it too late to register as a witness for testimony?"
Once again, the young woman is taken aback by the sudden change of heart. Arcee was the one very adamant on not getting involved with their past; she refused to help her at all, so why--
(Y/N) raises her eyebrows questioningly. "Why now?"
She doesn't expect an answer from Arcee immediately, that's for sure. So, the only thing she can do is to watch and wait. (Y/N) finds Arcee's glassy eyes and pursed lips, seemingly unable to look at her in the eyes.
"Arcee--"
"Your determination changed my mind." She finally replies, although in a whisper. "I thought if--if I can be any help at all, then nothing else matter."
"Not when Knockout tries to redeem himself by helping you, and I'm done running away from all of it."
Truth rings true from Arcee's voice, (Y/N) can easily tell. She tries to reach for the other's hand gently, grasping it with both of hers. Arcee finally lifts up her head and turn to face (Y/N), recognizing the tears pooling on her eyes.
"Thank you." (Y/N) whispers and nods. "Thank you so much, Arcee."
As if on cue, Bumblebee returns, walking towards their directions with two coffees in paper cups in hand. He watches with a tiny smile as the sight of the two women embracing each other in the empty waiting hall greets his eyes.
---
YOU ARE READING
Dear Brother (TFP/RID & Reader)
Fanfic[Human AU] Smokescreen and (Y/n) are inseparable siblings. After the death of their parents, they lived with their abusive uncle and aunt somewhere far away from the city. In hopes for a better chance in life and future, they ran away. Upon arriving...
