Gathered up - Sideswipe & Sunstreaker fanfic -

☀️ Ch 3. Sideswipe

'Are you trying shame me? What are you doing? Messing around?' My father crossed his arms. 'I am not messing around—' he slapped my cheek. 'Then how do you call this training session? I didn't call you here to see you fail. You were supposed make progress. I don't see much progress. Maybe you should take more shifts.' He was bloody serious about it. I cleared my throat. 'I am sorry. I will do better next time. He haven't slept for over four days. I am tired, that's all,' I replied. He hit me again. 'Tired? You got to be kidding me! You truly are trying to embarrass me! What do you think other people will think of me now? I have a daughter that can't even pull of a perfect training session. Shame on you!' He yelled. I clenched my jaws and looked down at the floor. 'This is not how I taught you.'

'I will do better next time.'

'You better do. Or next time won't be pleasant. Get your ass in the gym. If you think I didn't notice you eating these chocolate chip cookies this morning you're wrong. I didn't raise a pig!' I gave a nod. 'Yes father.' I turned around. 'Move faster, Skye! We are not in a retirement home!' He yelled. I quickened my pace and dashed out of the training hall. Embarrassed. I stopped for a moment and leaned against the wall, burying my face in my hand.

'You're okay?'
Ratchet eyed me carefully. He's always looking for something that might be wrong with me. He knows I never complain about pain or injuries. It pisses him off.
I nodded. 'Yeah... I am okay. Just uh— thinking. Need to finish some paperwork. Haven't had the time yet.' I straightened my back. 'Not buying that story. You got a red spot on your left cheek. I think it will match your father's hand. Tell me if I am wrong.'
'I messed up. I failed his training. I tripped...' I snorted. 'I fell over my own feet...' I shook my head. 'So what? Happened to me too. Not a big deal.'

'It is a big deal! My moves should've be flawless! They should've been perfect and they were not. Now I embarrassed myself and my father. People will think I am clumsy. I suck.'
'You don't. He's getting into your head. Don't let that happen. Just take a breath, get some food and sleep. I don't think you've had that much sleep lately. Ask Jazz if he can help you with your paperwork. You know he offered it before,' he stated. I sighed and gave a small nod. 'Fine...'

He passed. 'Ratchet?' He turned again. 'Before you get pissed at me again... should I worry about this?' I rolled up my sleeve. He grasped my wrist. 'It's a nasty cut. You should get some stitches and get it cleaned properly. Looks like it's made with a knife.'
'Something like that. Rough training, that's all.' He shook his head. 'I rather keep you in one piece, Skye. Keep it down, I don't want to give you a blood transfusion. Go find Jolt first.'

I nodded, rolling my sleeve down. 'I will...' I mumbled, heading towards the medbay. Jolt wasn't around, I guess he had another case or trauma coming in. I leaned against the desk, bending over to the nurse. 'Could you page Jolt for me? I'll be waiting if he's busy,' I said. The nurse nodded. I took the opportunity to sit down and relax. 'Good morning...' I groaned. Sideswipe flopped beside me with a big grin on his face. 'How's your day?' He popped some chocolate on his mouth. 'What do you want? I am not in a good mood right now,' I scolded. 'I know... you are never in a good mood. Listen... I was hoping you could reschedule me for tomorrow? I want to spend time with my brother.'

I glanced at him. 'Yeah... I can.' He raised a brow and stopped. 'Wait? What?' He cocked his head to the side. 'I can reschedule you...' I mumbled, fiddling with my hands. 'Great... I mean... I didn't expect you to say yes,' he mocked. He eyed me. 'Are you okay?' I nodded. 'I am fine.' A silence fell. 'Then why do I feel like you're not?' He asked. 'I embarrassed my father again.'
I looked at him. 'We should train more often.'

'We are both combat instructors. There's a reason why we train the rookies,' he said. 'I know that. I am good... it's just- I want to
Train more with you. I'll reschedule you, but you need to promise me.' He nodded. 'Sure, whatever you want princess.' I nudged him. A smirk crept up on his face. 'You know I don't hate you, right?' I asked. 'Sure I do. You adore me!' He mocked. 'I guess I do... but I hate your pranks,' I scolded. 'I am sorry. I know I crossed the line,' he mumbled. 'You absolutely did!' He grinned and shook his head. 'And I hate it work for you.'

'You got me locked up for two weeks in a brig. It doesn't really sound like you're working for me. It's more like I am working for you.' He nudged me again. 'We both know that's not true. You basically taught me training. I came crying to you when my father yelled at me again for failing. You've always been more of a support to me than my own father and I am really grateful to have you because without you I never would've made it anywhere. You practically raised me and I still need you.'

He flashed me a smile before he embraced me. I tightly grabbed him. Sideswipe softly pressed his forehead against mine. 'Can you promise me something?' He asked. I hummed. 'Get some sleep. Please, for the sake of my mind. You've been stuck in the office all night. Go ask—'
'Jazz? Yeah, I will I promise.  He kissed my forehead. I sat back.
'Not a change I'll be saying what I said again in public,' I warned. He laughed. 'I didn't expect you to either.'

Sideswipe and I had a special bond. I met him when I just turned nine. Sideswipe had been and still is my mentor. He taught me combat when I was only ten. My dad has always had high expectations. He told me to figure it out myself. Sideswipe helped me with my homework, help studying for tests, motivated me, trained me, read me bedtime stories, was there for me when I was sick or crying. He disciplined me and gosh he can get mad. Not something I'd want to have all the time. He also always drove me to proms, would be my date if no one asked me, covered me, got mad at me for skipping class and he was there when I graduated.

'Hey Sides?'

He hummed while chewing. 'I was so confused. Prime told me Sunstreaker and his team had a disagreement. He said that Sunstreaker was mad at him and everyone else. He just didn't seem mad or even like a psychopath. Seriously no one greeted him, while Dino got welcomed with open arms. There even was a party... I don't get it. He seems like a nice.'

He sighed. 'My brother is the most complex creature you'll ever find in the entire universe. He can be nice... let's say 35% of the day. He's dangerous, unstable sometimes. He meant what he said... he likes you.' I bit my lip. 'I was too hard on him, right?'
'Nah, my brother can handle it. He likes it if people stand up to him. It's more like a game for him. If you challenge him, the more you keep him occupied and less he will kill.'

He popped another skitter in his mouth. 'Is he okay? He seemed a little upset the other day,' I mumbled. 'Don't worry, he's fine. I'm town to buy some art stuff. I hope he's not spending all our money on it because I'll kick his ass back into space.' I chuckled. 'By the way... why are we sitting here? From all places?' He looked around. 'Are we observing a handsome and sexy doctor or nurse?' He mocked, nudging me. 'No, waiting for Jolt. I have a cut, need some stitches,' I replied, shrugging. 'Again?' He gave me a look. 'It's not major. Just a small cut, but Ratchet insisted to get it fixed and properly cleaned.'

He hummed. 'Skittle?' I shook my head. 'No, thanks.' I sat back. 'Come on, I know you want it.' I shook my head. 'I don't. I already ate a candy bar this morning,' I muttered. 'Ah, that again, huh?' He sighed. 'Skye?' I got up. 'Sideswipe, we need to talk about the training program.' He hummed. 'I made it, and I send it.'

'Still.'

'Sure, whatever. We talk later, just go.' I turned around and followed Jolt.