Chapter Text
The birthday party went great. Everything was fine. Life settled down into fairly standard routines.
Until Optimus received a com signal. Notifying him of a large group of stranded Autobots on one of Jupiter’s moons with several Deceptions closing in.
Almost all the cybertronians on the planet left to sort the issue out. Leaving just a handful of mechs at each base
Thundercracker and Barricade left as the Decepticons in charge. Apparently not everyone likes Starscream so Soundwave left.
Jazz decided this would be a wonderful training experience for Bee so he left as well. Leaving Red Alert, Hot Rod, First Aid, and Grimlock on earth
Sam absolutely hates it. Sure the first few days were fine, playing video games, hanging out with Mikaela. Perfection
Then came the sleeping issue. He wasn’t sleeping well by any means, but it was still sleep, By the third day No matter how many times he adjusted position, got up and stretched, he couldn’t fall asleep.
As the first rays of dawn flowed through his window he gives up. Might as well go to the Autobot base.
After showering and eating breakfast, he sends a text out to Hot-Rod asking if he could bring him over.
His phone buzzes a moment later with a response.
Less than an hour later he’s walking through the front gate. Grimlock greats him and Shadow, huffs about being left behind then meanders back to his station.
Hot Rod flips into his robot mode and motions for Sam to follow. “Rec room has a bunch of new games.”
“Oh cool.”
As they walk HotRod pulls a small package out from his subspace.
“Rust stick?” He offers holding a broken bit out.
“Sure.” Sam takes it inspecting it closely, it definitely doesn’t have energon. Carefully he licks it. “Tastes like iron.” He puts the rest in his mouth.
“But better.” He laughs shoving the rest of the stick in his mouth.
He swallows “Clarify.”
Hot Rod looks just as confused as Sam feels, “It’s rust. Like oxidized iron.”
Sam splutters.
“I mean Ratchet made sure none of them had the bad stuff, uh i don't remember what it’s called. It’s just compressed rust flakes.”
“I need a tetanus shot.” Sam chirps panicked.
“That’s the stuff. Yeah, don’t tell him but I wasn’t really paying attention when he went over humans and rust… but that I know isn’t in these.” He rattles the container, “You’ll be fine.”
Sam just groans.
“Want a lift?” He offers, holding a hand out.
“Yeah.”
A few hours later they’ve made it a good chunk of the way through the game. And Hot Rod is a little concerned. Sam’s been making very… cybertronian sounds. Whistles, chuffs, chitters, chirps, and clicks.
“Hot Rod.” Red Alert calls, “Knock it off.”
Sam looks over just as Hot Rod’s optics dim with a comm.
“Hm.” Red Alert stands, up clearly thinking. Making his way over to them.
Swallowing hard Sam looks up at the mech, “What’s going on?”
“I can feel your spark,” he pauses optics narrowing, “We should get you over to First Aid.”
“Is it bad?”
“I can thi-”
Hot Rod cuts him off, “You’ll be fine. Red’s just catastrophizing.”
Sam glances between the mechs. They seem concerned. “Ok yeah, medbay.”
Red Alert scoops him up into his hands and walks towards the medbay.
The moment they arrive, First Aid is all over them. Taking Sam over to get scanned and to run some tests.
“Good news the spark energy is only a little bit stronger.” First Aid says, “Bad news, your iron level is elevated.”
“That’s my bad.” Hot Rod says, “I gave him a rust stick.”
“He’s human!”
“He ate it.”
All optics turn to Sam, “I wasn’t thinking.” He shrugs in defense making a click in the back of his throat.
That froze First Aid in his tracks, “And you feel alright?”
“Yeah, totally fine.” Sam says, “Hot Rod said there wasn’t any tetanus bacteria.”
“But humans can’t eat metal.” Red Alert says. “Sure those rust sticks are soft enough for them to chew, but...”
Sam just shrugs. “I wasn’t really thinking.” He shrinks back from the bots slightly.
“Let me get another scan.” First Aid says grabbing an external scanner, “It’ll take a few minutes.”
“Ok.” He nods.
Sam sits quietly watching as the Mechs carry out a silent conversation through comms. He knows he should be more concerned that he accepted the rust as food, but some part of him feels like it’s ok.
“Hang on,” Red Alert says, “Prime is contacting us.”
That draws Sam’s attention, “I hope they're ok.”
Hot Rod shrugs, “Yeah, can’t be anything too bad or Red would have kicked us out when he got the notification.”
“Prime.” Red Alert greets nodding his head as he pulls up the video communication.
Optimus smiles, “We’re almost done here, Starscream is informing the decepticons of the ceasefire. Once that’s done we will be heading back.”
A flash of yellow in the corner of the screen catches Sam’s eye. Clambering to his feet he steps forwards to try and get a better look. Unconsciously making a sharp chirp as he spots his bond mate. Not that he notices.
Dead silence.
Optics lock onto Sam.
“Ohh man,” Jazz says, peeking out from behind Optimus, “is that what I think it is?”
First aid nods.
“Bee!” Jazz calls, “get over here.” He says something in cybertronian. Then Bumblebee’s properly in frame.
Time seems to blur slightly as Sam gives him an update. Bee returns it, explaining what he had done on their side of the screen.
Something nags in the back of Sam’s mind. They had called for an official update, but here they are just letting him talk to Bee. And the bots keep acting weird. Occasionally glancing over, speaking in cybertronian, andSending Comms to each other. It’s a little off putting.
Then Rumble clambers up onto the computer, shoving in front of Bumblebee.
“Hey Rumble.” Sam says, laughing as Frenzy runs after him. They both freeze at the sound.
“Boss!” Rumble yells off to the side, “Problem-” The rest is cut off by static.
Soundwave walks over. And Sam chirps.
Clamping a hand over his mouth he draws back from the screen. Completely unable to stop the chitters of relief. Relief that his caretaker is alright flooding his system.
“Resistance Unnecessary. Behavior Natural.” Soundwave says.
“But what is it?” He asks.
“Cybertronian sounds. Sparkling sounds,” Red Alert says.
“Sorry to cut in.” Jazz says, “but some bots went on ahead, should be arriving in twelve hours.”
“Swiftstrike,” Starscream frowns, “do you know what brought this on?”
“Uh, haven’t really slept in a few days,” At Bee’s glare he chirps, “I tried to sleep, I just couldn’t.”
“Go on.”
“And I, uh, ate part of a rust stick.”
Most of those on the call collectively lose it. Shouting over each other, asking questions and it’s all too much.
He must have made another sparkling sound, because in moments it’s quiet. Everyone staring at him. Concern painted across their features.
“Recharge.” Soundwave instructs firmly, “We will return.”
“First Aid will give you something to help.” Ratchet says, clearly just having been caught up. “Rest up, we’ll be back soon.”
For once Sam doesn’t mind being picked up without permission, so many thoughts and feelings flooding though his mind. A cup of water and some pills are pressed into his hands. Someone settles him onto a plush surface, cool metal pressed against his back. And he’s out.
“Sam.” First Aid says, “We need you awake.”
As he slowly wakes up he spots Red Alert staring down at him, “uhh, morning?”
The Mech clears his vocalizer, realizing how close he was standing, “Some of the new arrivals will be here within an hour. I thought you should be prepared.”
“Oh, thank you.” He chirps.
He nods back then wanders out of the rec-room. Leaving Sam to get ready in peace.
He’s anxious, though unsure if it’s because of the new arrivals, or if it’s being alone. He double checks that he’s wearing an unpatterned turtleneck and heads out to join the others waiting.
He makes it outside just in time to see Grimlock practically tackle a white, red, and green rally car.
It quickly flips into a mech and gives grimlock a pat on the snout.
“Sam,” Ironhide greats, “that is Wheeljack. so, you’re making sparkling sounds?”
“Apparently,” he chirps.
Ironhide chuffs back, watching as an old pickup truck and a car carrier semi pull in. Quickly transforming into bot mode.
He holds his hand out for Sam. Once he’s securely sitting on his shoulder he walks towards the three new arrivals. “Alright. This is Sam, the reason for the cease fire.”
“Heard he’s a Con.”
“Kup we went over this, Sam saved us from Megatron.”
“Hm.” The older bot frowns. Faceplates softening as he hears the keening distress chirp from the human.
“They won’t hurt cha.”
“He has a spark.” Wheeljack says, clearly fascinated, “Has he claimed a caretaker?”
Sam glances to Ironhide.
“Ahh, no. He’s just barely manifested a full spark. Ratchet will look him over before anything.” He pauses, “He is an adult by human customs and biology. I think he would feel better if you all treated him as such.”
“Really?” The Blue optimus sized mech hums. Looking towards Sam, “I am Ultra Magnus, an old friend of Prime’s.”
“Who’s the little guy.” Wheeljack asks, motioning to Shadow.
“Learning Drone.” Ironhide says, “Soundwave made it.”
The conversation rambles on. Ironhide lays out the rules on the base, makes it crystal clear that Sam isn’t a traitor then leaves to let them settle in.
“What did Wheeljack mean with a caretaker?” Sam asks.
“Creator bonds.” Ironhide explains setting Sam on a platform so they can talk, “you haven’t made those directly, but I’d bet that you’ll get one the moment the others get back.”
“Soundwave.” He whispers.
“Right.” He chuckles, “you miss him?”
The soft chirping stops as Sam blushes. “Yeah, he just feels safe.”
“Everyone else will be back soon.” He reassures him ruffling his hair. Then picking him up and placing him on his shoulder.
“Why did you come back early?”
“Wheeljack needs to set up his lab with as few around as possible. Ultra Magnus is watching him, and Kup came along for security.”
“Makes sense.” Sam says, he doesn’t really understand why Wheeljack’s lab is in a relatively unused stock room.
“His experiments more often than not end up exploding.” Ultra Magnus says walking up behind them.
Sam chuffs out a small laugh. Noticing just how much attention the sounds draw from the cybertronians. Ironhide continues walking towards the human area of the base. Once they’re alone Sam relaxes.
Reaching up Ironhide transfers Sam into his hands. Gently running a finger down his back. Coaxing a purring rumble from his chest.
“Do the sounds mean anything?” Sam asks, “Or is it like gibberish.”
He pauses clearly searching for something, “Yes, gibberish. Like what Annabelle sounded like before she could speak.”
“So it’s baby babble.” Sam says, feeling very uncomfortable with the sounds.
“Not quite.” Ironhide murmurs, “Humans don’t have an equivalent. Think of it as ‘parental controls’ sounds that have clear meaning so creators can easily monitor their behavior.” At Sam’s confused expression he shrugs, “it’s not a human thing. A call and response might describe it better.”
“Sure.” Sam sighs, “can you put me down, I need to grab some food.”
Ironhide’s eyes dim as he receives a message, “Hot Rod will join you in a klick.”
He doesn’t need a babysitter. Not that he’d say that out loud, so he simply nods.
Ironhide raises an optic ridge. Apparently his displeasure was not silent, thankfully he doesn’t mention it.
________
There’s not many soldiers in the dining hall. Which is fine by Sam. He finds a spot in a corner and scrolls through his phone. Picking at his food. Not super interested in it.
He hadn’t eaten a lot at breakfast, and he was starving a few minutes ago.
The growing spark clearly was going to be a problem.
“Hey Sam.” Lenox greats with a grin, “Mind if we join you.”
“Sure.” Sam grins.
“Honestly with most of the bots gone we thought you’d be taking a break.” Epps chimes in, “Get away from all this.”
Sam shrugs, “Couldn’t sleep, ended up spending a day with Hot Rod.”
“And it was Awesome.” He says, waking up to the table. shoving a pack of rust sticks into his sub space.
“I keep seeing you with those. What are they?” Epps asks, “Some kind of snack?”
“Yeah, rust sticks.” He thinks for a moment, “Cybertron junk food. Haven’t had these in ages.”
“What do they taste like?” Lenox leans forwards, clearly intrigued.
“Iron. But a little different, kinda spicy.”
“Sam.” Lenox says slowly, clearly starting to laugh, “You tried it?”
“Yeah, I wasn’t thinking.”
They laugh and talk for a while, drawing Sam’s mind away from things.
“The new arrivals want to hear the story.” Hot Rod says. “Sam you good with that.”
“Yeah,” he chitters.
Lenox raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything.
“Come on then.”
The story normally gets easier to tell each time, but with the sounds thrown in. It doesn’t go well.
His voice betrays him. Stressful parts where he normally fights to have his voice even are filled with emotion choked chirps, clicks, and whistles. And to make matters worse every time he makes one of the sounds. Comforting rumbles and chuffs reverberate around the room.
Definitely doing a great job at having them see him as an Adult. not
Ultra Magnus doesn’t seem particularly phased. Not sparring much interest in the human. Wheeljack is clearly fascinated by the spark energy. And Kup, he’s more interested in swapping stories than anything.
Which Sam appreciates. It fills the time. He learns more about cybertron.
Until Kup makes a particular low rumble, that makes Sam’s skin crawl.
Hot Rod jerks his head over. “Kup, humans don’t transform.” The others in the room look over.
“What was that?” Sam groans rubbing awkwardly at his skin, “And yeah don’t do that. Ugh it felt awful.” He moves to take a step towards Hot Rod and stumbles. Falling forwards, avoiding the ground as Hot Rod catches him. “I feel weird.”
“Weird how?” Kup asks.
Sam huffs, ignoring his question, “What was that?”
“Sound trigger for a Transformation.” Red Alert says walking over, “works on some sparklings, mostly small frames.” he pauses, “new Sparklings need help to transform. They don’t all have programmed motions. So a data burst can override and help them learn.”
“Doesn’t explain why he did it.” Sam snaps, jerking his body in Kups general direction.
“Do it again.” Hot Rod says suddenly, “Have him go back to bot mode.”
Kup does so.
Instantly everything feels better.
“I think we can agree no more doing that.” Ironhide says slowly.
Nodding Sam glances up at the crowd of concerned autobots. They’ve gone silent. Clearly holding a conversation. “Do any of you know why I reacted like that?”
First Aid kneels so he’s eye level with the platform, “We don’t, close as we can guess without Ratchet is, your mind tried to transform, but you can’t.”
Sam shrugs, “So. You don’t know.”
“Yeah.”
Sam glances up towards Ironhide, “Can you take me over to Bee’s room?”
__________
The next few days are spent with Sam somewhat avoiding most of the base. Everyone has questions for him. And he honestly can’t even start to answer them.
Leaning against the back wall of the base he watches the sun dip behind the mountains.
A slight tremor shakes the ground as Ironhide comes around.
“Sam.” He calls.
Chirping Sam turns to him.
“They’ll be back tomorrow.” He says, “Some groups might return a little sooner. Prime staggered the arrivals.”
Scrambling to his feet Sam scans the sky. Not caring that he’s clicking.
“You’ll get extra attention.” Ironhide says suddenly, “Everyone’s going to be interested in you.”
He nods, “I kinda expected that.”
Ironhide offers a hand to bring Sam inside, but he declines. Preferring to spend some time outside.
Hours pass then little by little what seem to be meteors start entering the atmosphere. Scattering everywhere.
One catches his eye. It isn’t any different than the others. They were all cybertronian. But this one feels special.
It disappears behind the mountains. So he watches. Shadow silently watches with him.
After a few hours he hears gravel crunch under tires then someone transforms running towards him. Spotting a familiar red visor he chirps.
“Swiftstrike.” Soundwave greats.
“Return?”
Plucking him off the ground, Soundwave carefully deposits Sam into the empty deck. Warmth washes over him, settling the anxious ball in his stomach. He can feel Soundwave walking. Muffled voices explaining what happened.
Chirping softly to himself Sam yawns.
He feels something brush his mind. Then an urge to step on the plate.
As always Soundwave catches him mid air. Depositing him on Optimus' desk.
“Hello Swiftstrike.” He greets.
“Hey, what’s this about?” He looks between the two.
“Sparkling behavior.”
Accidentally letting out an annoyed whistle he shakes his head. “I’m fine. Really.”
“I almost forgot how stubborn you can be.” Optimus chuckles, “this is less for you then it is for us.”
“Ok?”
“Prime wishes to know how you feel.”
“I don’t like it.” he says, “The sounds were fine, but they way that they look at me. It’s weird, I want to be near specific people.” He glances towards Soundwave. Mentally sending the feeling his way.
Optimus nods taking mental notes as Sam gives his own explanation of what happened.
“Some of that can be easily fixed with forming a creator bond.” Optimus says softly, “Since you’re already claimed as Soundwaves he would be the easiest choice.”
“Do you agree?”
Sam nods.
They say a few things in Cybertronian. Then Soundwave plucks Sam from the desk depositing him onto his shoulder.
Eyes dimming with a comm Optimus stands. “Sam.”
He makes a click.
“Ratchet tells me you reacted to a transformation signal.”
“Yes. Uh, Kup made the sound. And I felt wrong. Just, my skin felt like it didn’t belong to me. I was off balance, things weren’t working right and Hot Rod had him do it again. Then I was fine.”
“Soundwave do you know the alt mode?”
“Modes. Cassette, bipedal, and unknown, likely flight capable.”
Sam looks between them, “Wait, sparks can tell you all that.”
“Affirmative.”
Moving Sam into his hands Soundwave looks him over closely. Noticing how Swiftstrike has yet to stop moving.
“There is no danger from your current spark levels, though I suspect Ratchet will-” he’s cut off as a squeal of tires echos though the hall.
Several shouts trail after.
Primes door opens.
“Bee!” Sam chirps happy to see his partner in one piece. Jumping onto the table he runs towards him. “I’m so glad you're ok.”
Bee coos back at him, wrapping him in a hug as they chirp back and forth.
“I think he’ll be ok.”
Soundwave dips his head in agreement. “I will return to the Decepticon base. Permission to leave Ravage to monitor Swiftstrike.”
“Granted.” Prime nods. “Ratchet will send reports. He’s in good hands.”