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The day didn't start well for Strongarm, her sleep was restless and her muscles ached, and on top of that everything irritated her, or rather everyone, especially Sideswipe, she usually managed to keep a straight face at least for a few hours before a slight argument erupted between them.
But not today.
Today her patience ran out
She just wanted to eat breakfast in peace and that's all. Morning coffee always put her on her feet, stimulated her thinking and the word immediately became a little more bearable. But she had to be robbed of even a fraction of her peaceful morning
Sideswipe replaced the sugar with salt
Strongarm was so sleepy that she didn't notice that something was off, not that she could tell the difference between the two substances just by looking at them, but the fact that Sideswipe had been in the same space with her for a suspiciously long time should be enough of a warning
But it didn't occur to her because she started functioning only after having coffee in the morning. Which she just took a sip of and immediately spat out, choking, pouring the rest of the hot liquid on herself.
At least she woke up
-Sideswipe!- she exclaimed angrily, her eyes darkening with fury- why would you do that!?
-What?- he pretended to be surprised- it's not my fault that in the morning you behave like a zombie with rabies and you can't distinguish sugar from salt!
-Can't you leave me alone!?- she continued, tears gathering in her eyes and her voice almost breaking, what hass he done to him to treat her like that?- at least for one day!? One damn day.
But before the argument could turn into a full-fledged fight, Bumblebee bursted into the kitchen. He was used to the two not getting along, but usually, the whole rodeo started later in the day.
And honestly he didn't understand these two, they were of similar age, is it so difficult to get along with a peer? They could cooperate when they wanted to, so why were they constantly fighting over the smallest things?
-What in the world is going on here?
-What's going on? Do you want to know what's going on? Sideswipe as always!- the girl said accusingly-causing problems because that's all he can do!
-what!?- the boy frowned in response- don't act like you never made a mistake, Miss Exemplary Citizen!
-Enought! Both of you!- Bee interrupted impatiently, he knew this song too well but it was too early for their arguments- You have to stop, if you want petty fights then fine! I'll find something for you to do right away so you won't get bored. I give you 10 minutes to be up and ready without discussion. Have I made myself clear enough?
The young adults both nodded, they didn't like it but it was better not to object, Bee sighed heavily, he didn't like playing bad cop, but he had no choice with them.
Strongarm and Sideswipe agreed on one thing. Sending them alone to reconnoiter was just stupid, that's all. None of them were sure whether they would make it back safely or alive. You have to behave and not separate, said Bee, this is good exercise said Bee… And the truth was they were both on the edge.
-The Lieutenant and his absurd ideas- Strongarm hissed and kicked a stone angrily. She was walking a few steps behind Sideswipe, who was reluctant to look back to see if his companion had decided to disconnect from him.
-At least we agree on one thing- the boy replied and stopped in his tracks
-Why did you stop?- she asked- if you're planning something stupid again, I advise you to think twice
-We should see what's inside that warehouse- He completely ignored her warning, pointing to a building in the distance.
-What don't you understand in the word reconnaissance?- she asked, but her teammate was deaf to her statement and started walking down the slope- Hey! We weren't supposed to split up! Sideswipe! Come back here!
-If you follow me, we won't get separated- he shouted back- besides, maybe we'll find something useful there and maybe it is Steeljaw's secret hideout, he disappeared from the radar a long time ago, and we'll finally be able to track him down
Strongarm didn't like this idea, they shouldn't go into that building, because if Sideswipe was right and there was someone there, they might have a problem, but she couldn't just turn around and go back to scrapyard, after all they were supposed to stick together, and the truth was if something happened to him, Strongarm would feel guilty, Sideswipe irritated her often, but at the end of the day he was an indispensable part of her life. So the girl started walking down the slope, a little more clumsily, the rocks crunched dangerously under her feets. She wasn't as agile as Sideswipe, who was almost at the bottom of it and seemed to have no intention of stopping to wait for her.
Strongarm was about to shout for him to wait for her when she put her foot wrong and fell on loose Stones. She only managed to let out a scream of terror as the word began to spin unnaturally and then suddenly stopped. And everything hurt and her hands were burning, they were burning, they were all scratched badly. She was so embarrassed that the earth might as well swallow her up. Sideswipe was next to her in a blink of an eye, concern evident on his face.
-Everything's all right? Your fall was rather spectacular- his voice was filled with concern- it didn't look good
-Yes, I only scratched my hands- she replied laconically- nothing to worry about
She awkwardly started to get up when the boy bent down, grabbing her arms and lifting her up. He was strong, lean, but she didn't expect that he had so much strength, so he put her on her feet without much effort.
-Maby we'll find a first aid kit inside this warehouse, it would be a good idea to disinfect these scratches- he started- so that they don't get infected by something.
The warehouse turned out to be empty and abandoned, no con decided to use it as a base, so the two where completely alone, there was a lot of dust and scattered objects everywhere but this time Strongarm was careful not to trip over any of them.
-There's nothing here, let's go back-she urged her companion
-Maybe we'll find something to clean your wounds- he answered, or rather uttered, completely ignoring the girl's statement, as usual, because Sideswipe never listened to her- oh! Service room, maybe they left some bandages or other supplies inside?
Strongarm would clench her fist in anger if she could. But her skin stung too much, so he just glared at the back of his head, watching him disappear into the small room.
-Strongarm, come here! I found what we need.
The woman moved sluggishly from where she was standing, if he had no intention of giving up, it would probably be better to just let go, but only this time. The sooner they get out of there, the sooner they will return to the base.
And then she will take a long relaxing bath.
The room they were in was a rather dark and claustrophobic room. No Wonder as only a few rays of sunlight came through the miniature window. Strongarm heard a soft click behind her.
Uh-oh the door slammed shut behind her
Despite the pain, she tried to pull the doorknob. Bad idea because it was left in her hand and the door was still closed. This must be another one of Sideswipe's idiotic jokes.
Yes. He probably planned it all.
-Are you enjoying yourself!?- she hissed through her teeth, squeezing the object so hard that her blood stained doorknob and dripped from her hand- wasn't what you did in the morning enough for you? You have to take it out on me?!
-Huh? What are you on about again?- Sideswipe turned to her with a surprised expression on his face. Strongarm held out the bloody doorknob in front to her. She was on verge of tears- why isn't the doorknob in the door where it should be?
-Don't play coy with me. Do you want to see me miserable so much? Fine!- she said bitterly, throwing the object on the floor- congratulations, you achieved your goal! Now let us out!
Sideswipe frowned and lifted the handle from the floor and fumbled with the door for a while and nothing, it didn't budge, it was locked.
Okay, but if they think together, they will certainly come up with sensible idea, they were able to cooperate when situation required it, and
This was one of them. He looked at the girl. She sat curled up on the floor with her knees drawn up and sobbing quietly. There's nothing he can do with her in this condition, he sighed heavily, now he'll probably have to act like a bigger person.
-Strongarm- Sideswipe began calmly. Seriousness wasn't in his style, but if the situation demanded it, he had to act like an adult- this is not one of my jokes, I didn't know we would be trapped here. I just wanted to find a first aid kit to help you out.
Strongarm only shook her head in response, she didn't believe what he was saying. She dug her nails into the skin of her hands, preferring to focus on the pain rather than the fact that they were trapped together.
Primus, if she was going to act like this, she left him no choice, He knelt in front of her with the first aid kit taking out most necessary supplies
-Stretch out your hand- he started but the girl ignored him- Strongarm…Strongaaarm, Regs hands, Strooongarm I can do this all day long and we both know that I won't get bored quickly.
Hands shot out at him, yet his teammate still refused to even glance his way, first, he cleaned his hands of excess blood with clean cloth and then poured hydrogen peroxide on her skin. The woman hissed in response, but he tried to stay focused on what he was doing.
-Why are you like this, Sideswipe?- she began quietly- why do you keep making these stupid jokes even though I've asked you so many Times to stop?
-Because that's the only way I can get any reaction out of you- he replied without thinking- otherwise you wouldn't even look at me.
Huh?
-You know, when I first saw you, I thought you were some kind of statue carved out of ice- he continued, gently bandaging her hands- I wanted to see if you were capable of any emotions at all. And you are. Primarily of anger, that's what I see most often. But I thought maybe one of my jokes would make you smile, it's very cute, I like seeing you smile. But you don't do it very often. And I…I would like to know you better.
-Are you serious?- she finally looked at him, cold eyes piercing right through him, Strongarm looked for any signs of lies, anything that would indicate that he was deceiving her and when she didn't see anything like that, she visibly relaxed- Am I that scary?
-Not so much scary as distant- he explained- A bit like the ice queen from those Russell's fairy tales.
Strongarm has never looked at herself this way, she was raised like that, from an early age she was taught to stick to the rules and obey them. Every single one.
And adapting to the new reality in which she found herself came slowly and with difficulty, the fact that she couldn't apply all these regulations in their literal form and the fact that Sideswipe was bending them to the limits did not help her at all, it was destroying the view of her word.
-Well, I also have trouble deciphering you- she started- it's incomprehensible to me how easily you break the rules
-It's not my fault that my interests are contrary to the interests of the letter of the law- he joked and then added with a little more seriousness- I've had to rely only on myself all my life. It's because of my selfishness that I live, everyone bends the rules so why shouldn't I? I'm doing well, and if I get any reaction from you it's double points.
-So if I started ignoring you, would you stop?
-I would be even worse-he replied with amusement- and you would finally look in my direction, you have a lil' problem with aggression, so sooner rather than later you would snap.
Strongarm sighted, this man was impossible.
-Do you have any idea that all you had to do was walk up and start a conversation like a civilized person?
-And what would I say?- he snored- hey Strongarm, pay attention to me! I would like to get t o know you a little better, and besides, you look beautiful when you smile, you shine when you laugh, and what I like most is your dimples. Could you smile more often? For me? I would rather die than to embarrass myself like that.
Uh-oh, he said before thinking and let too much slip. She wasn't supposed to hear it all and suddenly Sideswipe became hyper-aware of his surroundings, he let go of her hands in horror and his cheeks burned Crimson, she wasn't supposed to hear it! He looked at her uncertainty and his heart began to beat faster.
She smiled gently, but of so pretty, amused by his jabber
He absorbed how she looked, her imagine was burned into his memory. This could be the last time she looked like this AT HIM, he had to remember that! As many details as possible. Her fuuuul lips that were probably sweeter than honey and eyes that usually were a cold wall of no-nonsense now glistered lightly with rare mirth.
-In that case, I'd love to get to know you better-she replied- but you have to stop with pranks.
-The best I could offer is to keep them to minimum- he flicked her on the forehead and smiled cockily- now our priority is to get out of here
He got up from his knees and gently pulled her up by the elbows, now they were close enough that Strongarm could hear his heartbeat. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment and jumped back as if burned with embarrassment.
He tried working on the door again, hoping it would budge, but of course it didn't. Well, if his brain wasn't enough, it was time for his brawn. He slammed his body against the door several times but it didn't help one bit.
-Wait, maybe they'll give in if we try together?- Strongarm suggested, but the man wasn't too convinced about it.
-Are you sure? You're already pretty beaten up already-he noticed- Will you manage?
-It can't get any worse- she replied- the sooner we get out of there, the better. On three Sideswipe
-one…-the two took a few feeble steps back to the end of the room
-two…-Sideswipe took a deep breath and they both got into a position, he extended his hand to his companion and she squeezed it reassuringly.
-three…- they ran to the door and surprisingly they made it! The door gave in! The pair fell to the floor, but Sideswipe managed to shield Strongarm from hitting the floor directly and cushioned her fall with his body.
They were now lying on the cold and dirty floor, laughing loudly. They did it! Sideswipe propped himself on his elbow with the girl still in his arms, she leaned lightly on his chest, tired but satisfied.
-Are you okay?- she whispered into his shirt- you didn't have to do it
-I’m definitely in better shape than you were when you slipped on those rocks- he joked and stroked her hair- we should get going, but slowly this time.
The journey back to the base was much more pleasant, they walked side by side talking lively and laughing at each other, they didn't even notice when they got back to the base given how much they were absorbed in one another.
Bee thought he was hallucinating when he was two adolescents talking, they were getting along! But something was wrong, they looked, well, as if they had spent a few days in the wilderness, covered in dust, with disheveled hair. Maybe they fell from somewhere and had a concussion and that's why they were getting along?
-What happened to you two?-he asked concerned- it was supposed to be a quick reconnaissance, why do you look like you fought a group of cons and barely managed to escape?
Strongarm shook her head
-It's not like that at all, Lieutenant, I slipped on the Stones, that's why now…I look the way I look, but other than that I'm fine!
TThe commander looked at her critically and sighted
-Both of you get changed- he was silent for a moment and then added- report to Fix-It later to check if you don't have a concussion.
When Bumblebee left, returning to his duties, and the pair were finally left alone, Sideswipe grabbed Strongarm's wrist and pulled toward himself.
-I'm sorry-he whispered in her ear-for this morning. Next time starting now I'll be more subtle with my teasing.
And he kissed her on the cheek. Strongarm's face turned red as she touched the place. He smiled mischievously, but before he could leave, Strongarm pulled him by the collar of his shirt and pressed her lips to his, the man instantly relaxed, time stopped for them and the surroundings disappeared, her lips were soft and warm, and indeed sweeter than honey, but it all ended far too quickly for Sideswipe's liking.
-It's my revenge- she replied, talking a few steps back- for this morning
-Well then, I guess I'll have to re-think no-pranking-rule if it will be the outcome-he tilted his head and there was an amused sparkle in his eyes
Strongarm's eyes widened
-Wait-No! Don't get any stupid ideas!
-Too bad I already did!- he laughted