Dear Brother (TFP/RID & Reader)

Chapter 24

a/n: this chapter contains hints of sexual abuse.

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"I was told to drive the kids who were...'adopted' to a warehouse."

(Y/N) stares intently at the person sitting in the middle of the circle, eyes looking straight at the judge in the front. She can't sense any emotion coming from Knockout when he started talking, as if he was there just to state the facts and nothing else. Although it was expected of him as a sworn witness, (Y/N) still thinks how uncanny it is to watch.

For a few seconds, their eyes meet; Knockout is the first to break that eye contact to look at the projector screen behind the judge's table. "Truth was, none of them were adopted. They were sent there for organ harvest."

There is a subtle fear in Starscream's face that (Y/N) spots. Perhaps he knows that Knockout is going to expose the hell out of his 'business'.

"Everything was recorded in that phone." He turns to (Y/N) then. "Pictures, videos, texts."

(Y/N) stands up, holding the said phone in her hand and holds it up for everyone to see.

"Permission to approach, judge?"

"Granted."

She walks over to the judge's table and places the phone on its surface. The security officer standing nearby immediately approaches to give the phone to one of the staffs. As soon as (Y/N) returns to her post, the projector lights up, revealing some of the most horrendous scenes that anyone could ever see in their lives. The young woman had to close her eyes for a moment, gathering her thought--she almost lost it when she hears the shocked gasps and murmurs from the audience. In one of the benches, Optimus and Magnus share a look between themselves; it isn't one of surprise, but rather confirmed expectation.

A short recess is called out shortly after Knockout finished his statements. Two security officers escort him out of the court room, and he seems to comply even with his hands cuffed behind his back. (Y/N) walks closely behind, making sure that he will leave the premises safely.

"Knockout!"

He whips his head towards the source of the voice, and so does (Y/N). Arcee is rushing to their direction, the worry clearly painted on her face. As if her instinct telling her to, both her hands try to reach his face; the gesture is halted immediately by one of the officer.

The man has that genuine smile directed to Arcee that (Y/N) has never seen before. "Take care of yourself."

The blue haired woman shakes her head, seemingly trying to stop herself from crying. "You should say that to yourself, idiot."

Then, she reaches out to wrap her arms around his shoulders--this time, no one tries to stop her. Knockout leans to the side of her face, being unable to return the embrace. The sight makes (Y/N)'s heart ache, knowing that even redemption cannot save him from the law. They stay like that for a few minutes until Arcee lets go, finally returning the smile that was given to her.

"We'll wait for you." She murmurs as she takes a step back. "So don't be difficult and get out as fast as possible."

Knockout simply replies with a smirk and a playful wink before walking towards the exit with the officers. She watches as Arcee's shoulders loosen up, trying to lean against the wall to support herself.

"Arcee, you okay?" (Y/N) approaches her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine." She nods, lifting up her head to look (Y/N) straight in the eyes; it's a look that (Y/N) will remember for the rest of her life.

"You better make sure that this is damn worth it."

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After an hour recess, everyone return to their respective places. On the chair placed in the center of attention, another figure is sitting and waiting. From her spot, (Y/N) can only see Arcee's indifference; the way she sits, and the look on her face tell everything she needs to know. The judge addresses the court once again, and the prosecution continues.

"I was the oldest girl in that orphanage." Arcee opens up, her voice loud enough for the entire room to hear. "The other kids listen to me most of the time when it comes to our 'job'."

(Y/N) remembers a moment in her childhood with Smokescreen vaguely. They would receive the location for their job that day from Arcee. She was often called to see Starscream in person by herself, too.

"When the day was done, I would help him count the earnings and get the kids settled in."

She glances at Starscream, who seems to be trying his best to keep a straight face, for a moment.

"One night, he called me to his room."

Truly, given the ability to choose, (Y/N) doesn't want to hear any of it.

"He told me he just wanted to 'talk about the kids'." Arcee looks at the judge again. "But then, something else happened."

From behind her chair, (Y/N) can hear some people starting to whisper among themselves. The truth is coming to light really soon.

She bites her trembling lower lip before continuing. "Starscream forced himself on me--"

"No, I did not! That is a false accusation--!"

The judge turns to the defendant's side. When he speaks, his tone brooks no argument. "Defense attorney, keep your client in line."

"Yes, judge. Apologies." One of the attorneys replies before whispering to Starscream.

The man with graying hair gestures to Arcee then. "Please continue, Miss."

"Thank you, judge." She nods. "As I said, he forced himself on me, tried to get on top of me; when I refused, he slapped me on the face and gripped my wrists so I couldn't leave."

"One time, Starscream stripped me of my clothes and was about to..." Arcee inhales deeply, closing her eyes for a few seconds trying to regain her composure, "...about to do it, but I managed to snatch a scissor nearby and cut him on his left forearm."

The gasps from the audience side become a louder, and some start to throw insults and berate Starscream. Before the situation got out of hand, the judge slams his gavel to the desk a few times.

"Order, order in court!" He repeats the line a few times until the crowd quiets down.

So, Arcee continues with the one sure evidence that will prove Starscream's sin. "I remember it being a deep cut, and it left a scar there."

The judge turns to the defendant's table again. "Can the defendant stand up and show us his left forearm?"

(Y/N) holds back the urge to smile upon seeing the defense attorneys on Starscream's side starting to look defeated and desperate.

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