Complex Robotics

A Piece of Conversation

Chapter Eight: A Piece of Conversation

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My eyes fluttered open, and immediately, I looked around my surroundings. I was in the passenger's seat, with the seat stretched backwards just enough so that I was laying down with a light, navy blue blanket wrapped around me. Last time I remember, I was in the driver's seat. I looked over to see a young man with familiar ice-blonde hair with streaks of soft silver, along with pale blue eyes and sun-kissed skin. I quickly realized it was Sideswipe's holoform, as I pulled myself upwards. When he noticed my movement, he turned to me and cracked a charming smile.

"Mornin' sunshine."

I yawned, stretching my hands and legs before responding, "Why are you driving yourself?"

"You fell asleep behind the wheel, don't want to freak any other humans out." He answered, his eyes not even on the road, as he changed lanes.

"I guess," I said yawning again, "So, where are we now?"

"In Finley, twenty minutes away from crossing the border to Oregon." He answered.

I nodded, looking back out the window as a red Toyota passed by. The laid back seat began to rise again, lightly touching my back and I smiled softly. I was still thinking about my family and all my friends that I left behind. I sent them a letter, but would that ever be enough to apologize and explain myself at the same time? Would they ever forgive me for just disappearing? Leaving? I sighed. It felt like I was abandoning them, it didn't seem like I was doing this to protect them at all. Or, well...it didn't feel like it.

"Stop that." Sideswipe grumbled, his eyes on the road and a slight scowl set to his face.

I raised an eyebrow, "Stop what?"

"Feeling so guilty, like this is all your fault." He elaborated.

"I was the one who decided to take you for a ride." I mumbled

The car jerked slightly, and I almost bashed my face into the dashboard. Sideswipe's eyes locked on mines. His pale blue eyes turned into an intensifying gaze as his eyes narrowed, "Charlie, look, it's not your fault. Seriously, it's not. So stop acting like it is. If anything, you should be blaming me, not yourself."

"But I've already forgiven you for it." I pointed out.

"Well maybe you shouldn't forgive so easily." He muttered, his hands clenching the wheel tightly.

"Is there something wrong with you?" I asked, glaring at him.

"No. What's wrong with you?" He retorted, rolling his eyes.

"You're acting like an asshole." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

He sighed, before meeting my eyes again, "Sorry, but something's just bothering me today."

"What is it?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I...I lost Sunstreaker again. I can't feel him in my processors. I...I don't know, I guess I'm just really frustrated about it," His beautiful blue eyes flashed bright for a moment before filling with aching sadness, "I'm sorry."

Immediately, I felt guilty for calling him an asshole. He was suffering from missing his brother, his long-lost-twin brother, all he had left. And here I was, burying myself in worry and pity about my family, who were safe from harm, and out of the way of Decepticons. If this guilt wasn't strong then, it was now. I felt horrible.