That night, the siblings return to their room wordlessly. Smokescreen has changed his clothes and dried his hair with a towel. It was one of the worst punishments he has ever received. The cracked mirror shows the mark on his cheek and the small bruise on the corner of his lips, one that stings when touched. When he walks out of the bathroom, he is greeted by a smaller figure standing in front of the door. (Y/n) looks down the floor, biting her lower lip whilst her fingers twirl the hem of her t-shirt. She refuses—can’t—to look at her big brother in the eye.
“(Y/n), is something wrong?” Smokescreen kneels down to her level. “Are you okay?”
She nods although the small sobs that escape her lips are betraying her. He puts his palms on her shoulders in a comforting manner.
“Look at me.”
This time, (Y/n) shakes her head. She wipes the tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand while keeping her gaze down. Smokescreen does not expect (Y/n) to throw herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck while murmuring apologies.
“I’m sorry, Smokey, I’m sorry.”
It makes him laugh—it is his duty to protect her, there is no need for her to apologize. He hugs her in return, patting her back comfortingly. They stay like that for minutes.
“Let’s just rest for tonight.”
─
Another day of work comes for them. They decide to stroll around the city and do the job on the move. It is exhausting that way, but the hopes of getting extra earnings keep them going. Hours pass them by in what feels like a flash, and before they know it, evening comes as they sit on a bench somewhere by the road. Smokescreen sits with his one leg folded on the wooden surface, facing (Y/n) who is paying her full attention to her brother. He spins the tuners a few times then strums the strings, eyebrows furrowed in focus.
“And that’s how you do it." Smokescreen finally says after finishing a short tune for the final test.
(Y/n)’s eyes light up at the intrigue of it all; she has only seen him play, but the technicalities are always hidden from her sight. Her gaze glimmers in amazement, earning her a pat on the head and a laugh from her brother.
“I’ll teach you when you’re older!” He tells her with a teasing grin, knowing that (Y/n) doesn’t like being called a kid.
“But I’m not a kid!” As expected, the protest leaves her mouth instantly along with a pout.
“Sure.” He scoffs, dragging his vowels as he does. “Kid.”
He lifts his music instrument when (Y/n) starts hitting him playfully. Laughter rings out between the two of them, a short moment of innocence and tranquility.
Soon, they start counting their earnings, and Smokescreen takes the chance to teach his sister to count by herself. Just as they are about to leave, a black car pulls up on the side of the road near them. The siblings look at each other in confusion, but when a familiar figure in a wheelchair and a lady pushing him from behind comes out of the car’s passenger door, (Y/n)’s smile grows wide.
“You’re the boy from a few days ago!” She exclaims as the other two are approaching. “Hello!”
“Hello.” The boy greets back with a shy smile on his face.
The lady behind him offers the siblings a smile, one that they don't expect considering they have never seen her before.
“My son talks about you two a lot.” She says. “He said you both are very talented.”
The comment makes the boy blush, uttering protests to the one who turns out to be his mother. (Y/n) grins happily, a small ‘aww’ escapes her lips when she sees the pink tint on his cheeks.
“Thank you!”
A plastic bag that has been sitting on the boy’s lap goes unnoticed until he grabs it. He offers it to (Y/n). “I-it’s for you and your brother.”
Instead of taking it instantly, (Y/n) turns to Smokescreen with a clear hesitance on her face. It is as if she is asking for his approval. The older brother shrugs lightly, leaving the decision to her since the offer comes to her first and foremost. So, (Y/n) takes the bag then peeks inside, seeing a box with a clear case where she can see cupcakes sitting there.
“They look so good!” She cheers with a grin, immediately giving the boy a hug while being careful with the oxygen hose he wears. "Thank you!"
He stiffens a little upon making contact with (Y/n) but recovers by awkwardly scratching the back of his head. “Oh, um, you’re welcome.”
Seeing the scene unfold gives the mother a good idea. She seems to rummage her purse and emerge with a phone.
“Why don’t I take a photo of the three of you?” She offers, putting the phone up ready to snap a picture. “It’ll be a good memento!”
“But Mom—”
“No buts.” The boy’s protest is cut off instantly. “You three are so cute, now take your position and say cheese!”
(Y/n) walks over to the boy’s left side and leans towards him just a bit. Smokescreen makes his way to the right then bends down slightly to match the other’s height since he is slightly taller than the wheelchair.
“Ready?” The question receives three nods as an answer. “Okay, one, two, three!”
─
After giving their earnings to Starscream that night, Smokescreen and (Y/n) return to their room. Other children were already settling inside, talking among one another or simply laying down on their beds. Smokescreen calls out to them while holding up the plastic bag, telling them that they bring treats. It gains their attention with no effort, the children start taking the cupcake one by one. Luckily for them, the cupcakes are plenty enough for everyone in the room.
While munching on her treat, (Y/n) watches Miko making herself busy. The girl she considers her best friend is stuffing her clothes into her bag along with other trinkets. She grabs the only remaining cupcake then approaches her.
“Hi, Miko!” (Y/n) greets, and Miko looks up to her.
“Hey!” The cupcake is offered to her, which she receives gladly. “Oh, thanks!”
(Y/n) nods before sitting next to her. “Are you going somewhere?”
She gestures at the bag that is almost full with her things. Miko nods in excitement, her face light up happily. “Yeah! Sir Starscream said a family came to adopt me.”
“You’re so lucky!” (Y/n) takes Miko’s hands in hers, smiling happily at her.
Miko pulls her into a bone-crushing hug for split seconds—it feels like hours for (Y/n), sadly. When they pull away, however, that delight disappears slowly. Her eyes gaze at (Y/n) with a hint of a somber note, a frown is forming on her lips.
“I will miss you so much, (Y/n).”
She goes radio silent for a while, not knowing what to say or how to respond. Letting go of Miko’s hands, (Y/n) reaches for the hairpin tucked neatly on the side of her head. She pulls off the only thing she has of her late mother. There is sadness in those (e/c) eyes when they linger at it, but it disappears as soon as (Y/n) hands the hairpin to Miko.
“Here, it’s for you.” (Y/n)’s voice comes out barely as a whisper. “So you will always remember me.”
Miko is never the type to hesitate, but this time, it is there, ever present in her face. “Are you sure? You love this hairpin so much.”
“Mhm, please take care of it,” (Y/n) continues, wiping the lone tear that almost rolls down her cheek, “and be happy.”
“I will, I promise.”
Holding a pinky out, (Y/n) watches as Miko lifts up hers then entwines them together, sealing the promise she makes. This time, the embrace they share is one of sisterly affection; as if, somehow, it will be their last.
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...
