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As you freshly stepped into the chaotic island the people call Griffin Rock, you knew you'd have to endure millions of chaos and repeated funny calls: saving a flying man, getting a cat off the tree, stressing on the precautions until your head expanded two times its original size, et cetera.
The chaos you endured turned out to be a different kind.
You found yourself off the ferry. Chief Burns came down personally to welcome you and drove you to the firehouse, where you found the Rescue Bots.
"It's really you!" you gasped.
"I'm surprised, you do know English," Blades giggled. "No offence, but television showed me the stereotypical Chinese," he pouted.
"The more you know," you smiled. "I took English classes for more than fifteen years back in Sichuan. During my travels, the locals usually were stunned by my almost-perfect English."
Heatwave hummed. "I'm Heatwave, as you may know."
"From our opera," Chase added.
You laughed. "Actually seeing you guys is a whole new experience, and definitely way better than the opera."
Boulder placed a painting in front of you, showing you the setting of Cybertron along with four of the Rescue Bots lined up at the sides of the Energon fountain, and a banner which read "Welcome" at the top.
"It's my way of saying welcome to Griffin Rock!" Boulder smiled.
"Aww, that's very sweet of you," you looked at the painting. "Thank you, Boulder."
"Come on, I'll show you around town," Heatwave transformed and opened the door.
"Aw, that's sweet of you," you climbed up then slipped into the driver's seat. "You're driving?"
Heatwave's face fizzled onto the screen as he nods. "Sit back and relax, must've been tiring to travel."
"Yeah, it is, but I like it," you replied, buckling your seatbelt.
"I still don't understand why you wanted to travel via the ferry instead of the ground bridge," Heatwave drove into the tunnels, turning left and right before reaching the outside.
"It's old school, and I like old tech," you found yourself in a place filled with beautiful greenery with gorgeous flowers as its decor.
Heatwave hummed as he drove around. "Blossom Vale, we hang out here often."
You noticed some children waving at Heatwave before he honked his horn, making the children explode into excitement. The mech rolled down the window for you.
"Heard you humans like fresh air," Heatwave made his way towards the newly-built entrance of Blossom Vale. "Chief said it clears his head."
"It does," you took a deep breath in. "Hey, you don't stink like other cars do."
"I don't run on fuel, (Y/N)," Heatwave explained.
"Fair," you relaxed on your chair. "I know you guys were in hiding for many years in this town, how did you manage?"
"Just, well, like this," Heatwave answered. "I don't know, to be honest. My main motivation was Cody."
"Daddy material," you joked. You almost thought the temperature inside grew higher, maybe that was just you.
"I mean- well-" Heatwave mumbled. "Let's get going."
You sat up. "My first day here and you're already flustered?" you laughed. "Heatwave, can't you handle a tiny mention of daddy? What content have you been consuming?"
"Advertisements," Heatwave growled. "They come up during my yog- sessions."
You gasped. "Yoga? Ayo, invite me! I wanna learn that too!"
Heatwave grumbled as you laughed away. He closed his window before driving to the bakery. He introduced it as "Chief's favourite place", the only store you'll find him stuffing his mouth. Several kids came forward, wanting a photo with the firemech. Heatwave grumbled before zooming off.
"Heatwave! Those are little children! How could you say no?" you gasped in surprise. "Don't you want them to be inspired to become a firefighter?"
"I don't need another Kade," he scoffed. He then made his way to the statue located at the town centre.
"Horris Burns, I read about him," you stared at the statue. "He's interesting."
"How? I find history terrifyingly boring."
"Brave, resourceful, and kind-hearted. Do you know how many people he helped?" you turned to the screen. "Read up on some family history, you've been living with the Burnses for so long!"
"I treasure the family, but I don't need some history to tell me why," Heatwave made a U-turn. "Anything else you wanna check out?"
"No, I think I'm okay," you replied, relaxing into your seat.
"You can take a pillow from the back seat," Heatwave opened his centre backseat compartment, "if you want to."
"Thanks," you smiled, grabbing a pillow and snuggling in it.
After returning back to the firehouse, Chief had already finished preparing a meal, expecting you to join the family as well. You have a subtle wave to Heatwave after he transformed, but judging by how he just turned away, he might've not noticed.
Dinner was great - everyone wasted no food, even you. All the portions given sufficed every individual's stomachs. No leftovers. You wondered how good of a father Chief Burns is to his children.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Dani asked out loud. You nearly spat your orange juice at Cody who was seated just opposite you.
"Where did you get that idea?" you asked, wiping your mouth clean. "I am hopeless in that kind of thing."
"Dani, stop torturing the poor single pringle," Kade chuckled. "No offence, (Y/N)."
"None taken," you huffed, "and my marital status shall stay as humbly single, thank you very much."
"That's what I used to say," Dani snickered. "And now I have Taylor."
"Is everyone done?" Chief asked. "I'm about to start the dishwasher."
"Let me do it, dad. I'm just finished," Cody stood up as he brought his plate.
"I'm done too," you pushed your chair gently and took your plate. "Thanks, Chief."
At the corner of your eye, Dani chuckled. Something about her bringing that up felt like a sign, but what? No matter, you need to get back to your apartment asap after introductory training.
~~~
Your phone buzzed. You nearly dropped the glasses you were unpacking. It was an alert.
There's an emergency at the firehouse. Something broke into flames and they all need help. Asap.
You sprung into your uniform and dashed outside. Your heart raced. It is only the first day here, and something is already wrong. You got in your car and drifted off, thoughts rushing through your mind.
Heatwave, Chase, Blades, Boulder. Chief Charlie Burns, Kade Burns, Graham Burns, Dani Burns, Cody Burns.
They have names. They have lives.
You arrived in front of the firehouse, where fire was bursting through windows. Luckily, the Burnses were able to evacuate, but the four Rescue Bots were stuck inside unable to leave. You dashed inwards, ignoring the calls of Chief, and slid under a part of the collapsed roof.
"Blades! Get out of here!" you heard the firemech yell out.
"My pedes-! They're trapped! Help, I think I'm bleeding!" the copter bit screamed.
"Chase is unconscious, I can't bring him out!" Boulder reported.
"Guys! I'm here, how can I help?" you cried out. "Please, answer me!"
"(Y/N)! Stay out of this!" Heatwave shouted. "Get to safety!"
"Not without you," you looked up at the mech.
Heatwave glanced at you, then finally gave in. "There's a medical kit in our communications centre, but none of us are small enough to be able to get in. Get that and help Boulder."
"Got it," you slid into the room he had told you and pushed the giant medical kit outside.
Boulder nodded at you in thanks then handed you a small dynamite. "It's small, but enough to make an exit."
You took the dynamite and placed it near the gates, then got far enough to explode it. Boulder immediately picked up the limp policebot and ran outside.
"Blades! What can I do?" you yelled.
"I'm losing Energon-!" Blades shook in fear.
"Hang on!" Heatwave managed to push the part of the roof away and carried Blades. "(Y/N), get out of here!"
"Let's go!"
Suddenly, another part of the roof collapsed on top of Heatwave. You screamed. Heatwave shoved Blades outside.
Outside, the Burnses tended to Chase, but Chief was worried about the rest of the team. Kade didn't seem settled down either.
"Heatwave!" Kade shouted. "Come on buddy, you're better than this!"
"Heatwave!" you held onto the mech's servo. "Are you alright?"
"Fine, just get out," Heatwave ordered.
"Not without you," you looked around, then attempted to push away the heavy concrete. "Are you out of water?"
" I was going to refill, then the firehouse burst into flames," Heatwave growled. "I knew Evan and Miles were up to something-!"
"Heatwave, don't move," you advised. "Your visor is broke and there's a piece of it in your optic. Your pede looks broken too."
"No shit, Sherlock," he cussed under his breath. "Get yourself out of here, go!"
"Like I said, not without you!" you insisted.
"Don't get stubborn with me!" Heatwave yelled back. When he noticed you unwilling to move, he growled, then flicked you outside with a digit. You screamed before landing on the ground.
"HEATWAVE!" you cried out.
"The mainland rescue team is coming, we need to leave," Chief put his hand on your shoulder. You shook him away, tears falling down your cheeks.
"I'm not leaving him."
"They'll come for him, come on," Chief assured. You let him guide you away from the scene as your mind became blur of the situation.
~~~
You couldn't stop crying.
For weeks on end, tears couldn't stop running down your cheeks. Heatwave has done no progress in his recovery and still hasn't woken up. The Burnses did their regular routine, but didn't neglect to check on you. Whenever it was Kade's turn to visit, you would always notice dark circles under his eyes and his brightness dim.
"No news yet?" you asked as you made some tea for the tired firefighter.
"No, and it's killing my energy during emergencies," Kade sighed. "Where's Heatwave when you need him?"
"Wow, now you're whining once he's not on his feet," you put the tea down on the coffee table. "And when he was healthy and fine, you insult him."
"When he was healthy, he would grumble about everything like the hotshot he is," Kade snickered. "Without calling him names, he won't stop!"
"Wow," you rolled your eyes. "Such great teamwork, totally the famous teamwork that I expected."
"Woah, if Heatwave's gonna date you, he better watch out."
You snapped your head toward Kade with a face of shock. "He said that?"
"He told me not to tell you, but what am I famous for?"
"... Teamwork."
~~~
You dashed down the stairs, your heart almost beating outside of your rib cage.
You cannot believe it.
Your hand scrambled for the keys in the container as you pulled on your shoes. In a blur, you shoved open the door and got in your car.
There is no possible way.
In a split second,
You're here.
The gates were open, but none of the Rescue Bots are there. You vanished down the fire pole, heading straight for the medical bay. When you finally reached his berth...
He was sitting up, talking and laughing.
Laughing.
He's happy, he's contented, he's recovered.
"Heatwave!"
The mech turned around. With a big, goofy grin, he replied:
"(Y/N)."