Dreams and Nightmares

WARNING: Does contain slash though is more hinted at than carried out. Don't like slash, or even the thought of slash, DO NOT READ. I hope you enjoy.

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''Pick it up!''

''No!''

''Backstop, pick it up so that neither of us get chewed out by boss-bot.''

The smaller yellow and crimson bot turned big, pleading optics up at his older brother.

''But, Spinners!'' Backstop whined, stealing a glance at the vomit.

''Don't 'Spinners' me. I cleaned up the last three times.'' The brother, Quickspin, stated, placing his servos on his hips.

The staring the followed only lasted a few nano-clicks. Then a rag was tossed in between the both of them, a displeased looking white and gold mech standing in the doorway.

''Will you two please stop fighting? It was a simple request.'' He said, a frown on his face.

Backstop's shoulders slumped as he hung his head in defeat.

''Yes, Skyblade. . .'' Replied the younger mech.

''Thank you.'' Skyblade said, nodding his head once and then walking back down the dark hall from which he came.

Quickspin watched as the older mech walked away, a frown firmly set on his own face. Bending down he grabbed the rag and went to work.

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Walking down the dark, silent halls, Skyblade came to a stop at a pale gray door. Placing a servo on the touch pad and stepping inside the room once the door opened, he waited as his optics adjusted to the darkness.

In the corner of the room a small lamp was lit, casting a soft, warm glow on the wall and figure sitting in a chair beside it. The figure's outline could be made out as it gently rocked back and forth. A smaller figure could be seen in the figure's arms, the being now identifiable as an electric-blue and lime green mech. His aqua colored optics glowed softly as he looked up from the bundle and over at Skyblade.

''Are you just going to stand there?'' The bot asked quietly.

''My apologies, Volts. If you wish, I will-''

''Sit with me?'' Volts filled in, a small smile appearing on his face.

Skyblade blinked, not expecting to be asked.

''Volts?''

''This is your sparkling too, ya know.'' He stated simply. ''Just because we can't be sparkbonded yet doesn't mean we can't raise her together.'' Volts gazed over at Skyblade, optics filled with both hope and sadness.

It pained him to see Volts like this. So much potential. So much. . .life. Skyblade swore to himself that, no matter what, he would cure Volts of his virus. It was hard to believe that one scouting mission would leave the blue mech with a death warrant. The virus was in Volts processor, a place that is not easily accessible. Whenever he used his electrical abilities it drained Volts' spark of its very life force. If a cure or even a way to replace the damaged circuitry was available, it would mean the prevention of Volts offlining.

Spark aching, Skyblade nodded and walked over. Pulling up a chair and sitting at an angle to Volts, the white and gold mech's gaze landed on the bundle in the other mech's arms. As soon as he had come over, the bundle shifted a little. A small, pale gray face peaked out from under the blanket. The sparkling's big, baby blue optics dimly onlined as she looked up at Skyblade.  Once she did a tired but excited series of chirps escaped her. Clicking once the sparkling reached up to the familiar face with short little arms.

Smiles played on both mechs' faces at the action. Reaching out, Skyblade gently took the little sparkling's servo in his.

''Ya know, we still need to name her. . .'' Volts stated quietly, optics dim as he turned his attention back up at the mech beside him.

Skyblade hummed in acknowledgment. Thinking it over, he didn't say anything till Volts spoke again.

''How about. . .Harmony?'' His voice was soft and calm.

Skyblade's optics brightened a little as a warm smile spread over his face.

''Beautiful. . . . .'' He whispered. ''What do you think, sweetspark? Is it Harmony?'' Skyblade smiled at the sparkling while playfully wiggling his digits.

Harmony's optics widened a little as she tightened her grip on three of Skyblade's digits. At the name she giggled happily, chirping excitedly. The action made Volts chuckle.

''I think she likes the name.'' He said, optics brightening at the sight of the happy sparkling.

Harmony continued to giggle while hugging Skyblade's servo closely. After a few minutes a small yawn caused the sparkling to pause, optics dimming. Volts' body visibly relaxed as his own optics softened, a warm smile on his face.

''Looks like someone's ready for her nap. . .''

Gently taking back his servo, Skyblade pushed the chair back and stood. Getting up, Volts securely cradled Harmony in his arms while walking over and gently setting her in the crib. As soon as her little head touched the berth, Harmony's optics offlined. Curling up and pulling the blanket closer to her chassis, Harmony gave a soft sigh and drifted off to sleep.

Standing next to the crib, Volts watched his sparkling slip into stasis. He felt happy and at peace and for once in a very long time he wished things would stay like this. Harmony and Skyblade with him, a softly glowing lamp in the corner and a world where everything for the moment was peaceful and happy. But this could not be, for the accursed virus in his processor ment that one day, none of this would be real. Harmony. . . Skyblade. . . Gone. Left to live out the rest of their lives as he watched from the stars.

A sharp pang in Volts' spark brought him from his thoughts. Sighing, the young mech offlined his optics, head bowed.

Standing to the side and behind Volts, Skyblade watched silently as sadness filled his spark. Taking a step forward he placed a gentle servo on the blue mech's shoulder.

''Come on. . .''

Volts' optics onlined as he turned to gaze up at Skyblade. The white and gold mech could see the tears that threatened to fill Volts' optics, the rare emotions of fear and helplessness reflected in them. Letting his servo slip from Volts' shoulder he held out both of his arms. The gesture was almost immediately met with a response. Filling in the space between them, Volts wrapped his arms around Skyblade's waist, burying his face in the blissfully familiar chest. He felt so weak so. . . . .helpless. Tears started to trickle down his face as Skyblade hugged him, strong, protecting arms around his own weak chassis. He never felt safer. Offlining his optics, Volts let the tears fall down his cheeks, body faintly trembling.

At Volts' sniffle a frown marred Skyblade's face. Leaning down slightly he gently rested the side of his own face against Volts', whispering softly while holding him closer.

''It will be okay. . . I promise. . . . .''

Volts could feel his spark twist at the words. Oh, how he wanted so badly to believe him. To be free of the nightmare that now haunted his life. And Skyblade. Volts hoped that one day, he'd be able to sparkbond with him. It would be a dream come true to finally really share his life with the one mech he cared for most.

Giving Skyblade one last squeeze, the blue mech leaned back and numbly nodded. A sad frown crossed Skyblade's face at the sight of Volts' tears. Unwrapping one arm from around him he reached up and gently caressed the side of Volts' face with his thumb, wiping away some of the tears.

''Don't cry. . .'' He spoke softly, sadness reflected in his voice and optics.

Volts could only nod, slightly tilting his head into Skyblade's caress. The tears slowed to a stop and so did the trembling. Optics dimming, Skyblade leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on Volts' forehead, whispering softly.

''I love you. . .''

''I love you too. . .With all my spark. . . . .'' Volts replied, his voice albeit a bit weaker and quieter than Skyblade's.

Straitening again, Skyblade took Volts' servo in his own, leading him back out the door. Stealing one last glance at Harmony's sleeping form, he then closed the door.

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     1 Vorn later


''Run away!''

''She's gonna get us!''

Running down the hall, Quickspin and Backstop had idiotic grins plastered on their faces as they bolted into the living room. Sitting on the couch, Skyblade pulled his gaze from the TV to the two younger mechs. Laying on the couch next to him, Volts raised his head from the white mech's lap. Staring quizically over at the two brothers, his gaze drifted to the gleefully chirping Harmony. Toddling her way after the two, her excited expression brought smiles to both the older mechs' faces.

''Come on, Harmony!'' Backstop chided, grinning at the little femme.

''Nya!~ Nya, nya, nuuuuu!'' Harmony quipped in reply, running as fast as her little legs would allow.

Finally making it over to him, Harmony latched onto Backstop's leg.

''Gy-uuuuu!''

Backstop's optics brightened as he laughed, lifting his leg a little off the ground to see how tight her hold was.

''Yes! Ya got me!'' He cheered, gently prying the sparkling from his leg.

Holding Harmony out in front of him, the crimson and yellow mech grinned. Giggling like crazy, the white and lime green femme in his servos reached out to him and chirped. Smiling, Backstop brought her to him and gave her a gentle hug. Wrapping her own arms around his neck, Harmony hugged him back, burying her face into the crook of his neck.

Smiling, Volts went back to resting his head on Skyblade's lap, draping an arm over his optics and sighing. Glancing down at Volts, a smile played on Skyblade's face as he ran his digits over the lime green receptor on the side of the blue mech's head. Shivering, a faint hum could be heard in response to the action. Moving his servo from Volts' receptor, Skyblade switched to gently rubbing his thumb up and down Volts' shoulder, effectively calming him. Gaze moving back to the TV, Skyblade watched as the news flickered by with random information.

All went along fine for about 30 clicks until a surprised squeak and an outburst of laughter brought Skyblade's and Volts' attention to the far right and on the floor. Sitting cross-legged on the floor sat Backstop and Quickspin. Quickspin had his visor pushed up over his optics as he sat laughing. Backstop, however, had a surprised expression on his face as he sat stock still. He would have looked fine except for the stray ripple of green static that raced over and around his body.

''Backstop?'' Skyblade questioned.

''H-He c-can-t t-talk!'' Quickspin managed to say in between bursts of laughter.

Volts sighed and propped himself up on his elbows. Looking over the arm rest, Volts' gaze came to a rest on Harmony. Holding a little servo to her mouth in surprise, her other servo remained at her side, the same ripple of static coursing through and around it. A grin quickly spread over the creator's face.

''Well, guess that answers one question, eh, Backstop?''

Said mech could only squeak in reply, his brother far gone in the world of laughter. Staring wide-optic at her creators, Harmony whimpered.

''Ba-stop?'' She inquired.

''He'll be fine, sweetspark. Right, Quickspin?'' Skyblade smiled at his sparkling and then looked evenly over at the mech.

''Oh, y-yeah. He-he'll be okay.'' Quickspin replied, controlling his laughter to a snicker.

Skyblade turned his gaze back to Harmony.

''See? It's alright.'' He reassured.

Harmony stared up at him for a long moment and then over at her other creator. Nodding once, Volts grinned.

''Nice aim. Come here.'' He said invitingly.

Harmony clicked and walked over to the couch, holding her arms up to Skyblade. Smiling down at her, Skyblade bent over and picked her up, handing her over to Volts. Sitting up, the blue mech took the sparkling and set her in his lap. Giving her a kiss on the forehead, Volts wrapped his arms securely around Harmony's chassis as he shifted to sit cross-legged. Giggling happily, Harmony rubbed her head against the side of her creator's as he nuzzled back.

Having calmed down enough, Quickspin stood up and picked up Backstop. All the young mech could do was glare at his brother as he was carried over to a free couch.

''Well, now we know who Harmony takes after.'' Quickspin snickered.