Chapter Text
A very long time ago, a flier with the desire for Freedom explored the lands. His deep desire led him into a lifestyle of loneliness, with no friends and no connections with his family. While he desired Freedom, he longed for Companionship, for a bot to Love him for just being him.
And he found that bot, an excavator with a love for nature. While they didn't have the best first meeting, the flier fell in love with the bot, and in turn the bot returned the feelings. The flier began his courting of the bot, learning grounder customs and bringing gifts to his beloved.
They became closer and closer, till they soon had a night alone together. Just the two of them, under the moonlight as it illuminated each other's frames. They promised one another to always stay by each other's side, a promise that was unfortunately broken when their home planet began to destroy itself.
Each escaping in a single pilot pod, they wandered through the stars for thousands of years, searching for each other and a place to call home. And they found that place, a planet called Earth, filled with fascinating animals, fauna, flora and more. It wasn't long before they found each other again, and that night they once more shared a special moment together.
That special moment would lead to a gift, one that the flier was determined to protect with his life. His mate was carrying, and he would do anything to protect both his beloved and developing child…
No one will touch him.
I will make sure of that.
I scan the forest around our nest, which lies in a hidden cave, blocked from sight of any humans who try to enter. My bow was in my servos, my optics watching for any threats. Threats to my beloved. Threats to my child.
“Fleta” I hear Dexter call for me from our nest, turning my head to look over.
I saw him sitting in the nest, looking comfortable with a servo laying against his chassis. Our child laid just below the surface of his armor, growing day by day.
My gaze softens. Seeing my mate comfortable like this makes me relax, only a little tho. My instincts were still on high alert, and have been since my Sire protocols came online.
While it is soothing to know he's safe, I can't help but worry. I had found the owner of the Metal Breath while out scouting for fuel, and I became worried for Dexter’s safety. I don't want him to be taken from me, so I've grounded him to the nest until I know that kid isn't a threat.
“Birdie, you're worrying too much” He says to me, his soft baby blue optics locked with my green ones.
“The Metal Breath is out there Dexter, what if you get sealed by that kid? What if he does something to you?” I say, clenching my bow tighter.
“You’ll wear yourself out if you keep worrying, come here” He says, his voice soft, but firm.
My body moves before I can protest, getting into the nest and setting my bow down, which disappears in a flurry of pixels. His servos gently cup my faceplates as I get comfortable against his warmth. His optics softened more, melting my core.
“Relax Fleta, I promise everything will be Fine Alright? Worrying like that isn't good for You” He tells me, gently rubbing his thumbs against my cheekplates.
“I can't help worrying My Love… You're My Mate, and you're Carrying our Little One..” I explain softly, staring into his optics.
“Can You relax with Me? Please?” He asks me softly, melting my core even more than it already was.
I can never resist his gentle voice, those soft optics. My body is moving once more without a thought, laying down with my helm laying in Dexter’s lap. I close my optics, relaxing. I felt gentle digits beginning to trace along my helm, relaxing me further and causing me to make chirping sounds.
I could hear his relaxed humming, like soothing music to my audials. I felt recharge pulling at me, and I gave in as darkness fully enveloped me. It wasn't dreadful or nerve-wracking, it was comforting. My mate was there, safe and sound with me.
Recharge was peaceful, images of us on Machina, exploring its beauty together.
But those images soon turned into nightmares. Where my beloved is taken from me.. Beaten and Bruised till he bled out, screaming my name for help.. Each Nightmare became more gruesome and core wrenching than the last, stretching on for what seemed like hours upon hours, making me snap awake and immediately sit up.
My systems were going haywire as I tried to calm myself down. I felt servos gently grip my shoulder pauldrons, turning my helm to see Dexter looking at me worriedly.
“Birdie? Is Everything Ok?” He asks me, his optics filled with concern.
“Just.. A Nightmare My Love.. I'm Fine..” I tell him, trying to hide the panic in my tone.
Unfortunately, Dexter has much more sensitive hearing than I do, so he heard the panic.
“Fleta.. How about you go do some patrolling? Maybe it will take your processor off it?” He suggests, being careful not to touch my wings.
“I… I guess I could do that… Stay in the Nest Alright?” I say to him, my tone firm, but gentle.
“I know, I won't leave the Nest, I Promise” He says, giving me a gentle look that melted my core.
I give a nod, summoning my bow once more as I head to the entrance of the cave. I take a second to look back, seeing My Beloved laying back down.
“Get some rest My Love, I'll be back soon” I say before I zip off into the night sky.
It was a full moon tonight it seemed, illuminating my black frame. My optics were sharp as I patrolled, noticing a nearby construction site, one that was far too close to the Nest.
There were two human kids there, sparking my Sire Protocols once more. They were too close to Dexter. They needed to leave. I held back a growl as I landed near them, staying in the darkness.
“Get Out!” I shouted at them, my wings flared out to look threatening.
The two snapped their heads towards me, horrified looks on their faces. I watch them scream and scramble away, yelling about a Monster. If that keeps them away, then so be it.
I snarled lowly, waiting for the noises to completely die down, relaxing once they were. My wings slid back onto their downwards position, my systems relaxing now that a potential threat was gone.
Just hope those brats won't come back. If they try tho, I'll be waiting to drive them off again. The only worry is them dragging more humans over, which would threaten the Nest’s hiding spot.
I don't want to move Dexter again, I've already had to move the Nest once because humans kept getting far too close. The last spot had been in an abandoned site, and I had to drive away the workers on more than one occasion before I decided to move us.
I continue my patrols, watching out for humans and keeping a close eye out for threats. The local nocturnal animals were out and about, but they didn't bother me. Dexter loved those animals and they loved him in return, and seeing these creatures out this late gave me the sense of them being sentries, keeping an eye out for My Beloved.
My patrols continue for the rest of the night, the morning sun beginning to make itself known by decorating the sky in different colors. It was quite a beautiful sight to behold, one I wish I could show Dexter like this.
~
Sitting in the nest alone wasn't exactly an activity I liked, especially when Fleta is out patrolling, leaving me alone. Tapping my digits against the ground, my optics scanning the cave once more, taking in every crevice and crack for the hundredth time already.
While I had a nice recharge, I missed Fleta’s warmth against me, and our little missed it too judging by how active their little core was against mine. I thought for a moment, as I pressed a servo against my chest gently, feeling the gentle thumping of the little one’s core and mine.
Meow
My audials picked up that soft meow, making me turn my head towards the entrance. Standing there was a black cat with blue eyes, and in its mouth was a small kitten of the same color.
My optics sparkle, a Momma Cat and her kitten!
I give a small chirp, catching her attention. I watch her slowly approach me, sniffing my outstretched servo as I stay still. She then brushes her head against my servo, setting her kitten gently down on it.
Her purring was loud, laying against my lap as I held the little kitten. I'm guessing this is her only one, since she doesn't have any more with her.
“Hm, I wonder what your name is” I say softly.
She turns her head to me, giving another soft meow.
“Don't have one? Maybe I can give you and your little one a name then” I say softly, looking at her.
She meows again, tilting her little head. I spend some time thinking about names before I get an idea.
“Maybe your name can be… Ebony, and your little one can be… Sable” I say, looking at her for her opinion.
She purrs, seeming satisfied with my answer. It makes me give a quiet chuckle.
“Ebony and Sable it is then” I chirp, gently petting the kitten’s head with my thumb.
Little Sable seemed fine with it, purring alongside their mother. The purrs were relaxing to listen to, calming my systems. I sit there with Ebony and Sable, enjoying the peaceful quiet, mixed with the soft purring.
After a while, my audials picked up the sound of familiar sounding jets, meaning Fleta had returned from his patrols. I look over as he enters the cave, his optics spotting me before they settle on the little felines.
“New Companions My Love?” He asks, sounding amused.
“She found the cave, you know how I am with animals” I say, my own tone amused in return.
Ebony meows from her spot, currently ‘loafed’ as humans put it. Sable was still sleeping in my hand, their little ears twitching.
“Cute” He chuckles, making his way over to the Nest, kneeling down.
He holds a servo out to Ebony, letting her sniff him. I watch as she does, before letting out a satisfied purr.
“Seems she likes me” His optics showed off a smile and my own optics gave a smile in return.
“How was Patrol? Did it help?” I then asked, giving a small tilt of my helm.
“It was alright, tho two kids got too close to the Nest.” He says, sounding annoyed by the mention of it.
Two kids were close to the Nest? I felt a wave of concern in my systems. So they could find us?
“Should.. Should we move again?” I ask him, my tail swaying ever so slightly.
“No, not now. I'll keep those kids away if they come back. My only worry is that they'll bring more humans to the area” He says to me.
“And if they find us?” I ask, worry lacing my tone.
“I won't let them near You. Your protocols are already working hard, I don't want them working overtime out of stress.” He says softly, gently holding my free servo in his.
“I can defend myself” I mumbled.
I wasn't helpless.
“Love.” He says, his tone firm and his optics narrowed.
I gave a huff out of my vents.
“Fine.” I grumbled.
Ebony then meows, catching our attention. We both look down at her, and she nuzzles Fleta’s hand.
“Need something?” I ask her, tilting my head.
She meows, and I heard a small grumble come from her stomach. Oh, I think she's hungry.
“Hungry?” I ask her.
Ebony meows, nodding. Little Sable woke up, meowing similarly to their mother. I guess they were hungry too.
“I don't think we have any cat food at the moment” I say, my optics dimming a little.
“I can go find some” Fleta chimes in.
I turn my attention to Fleta. He had just gotten back, yet was willing to go out and search for food.
“Be Careful Ok?” I say softly, my servo gripping his slightly tighter.
“I will, I Promise. You know the rule” He says.
“Don't Leave the Nest, I Know I Know” I say with a sigh.
He places a gentle kiss against my forehead, a small scorch mark now in place of the kiss.
“I'll be back soon” He stands up once more, walking towards the entrance.
“We'll be waiting” I reply back, leaning against the nest.
Fleta nods before flying out of the cave, going off to search for food for our new companions. I hope he stays safe, I don't want to lose him..
~
Perhaps I also should go find some fuel for him and myself, I haven't collected any fuel for the past few days. He must be hungry, so maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to find some.
I flew over the city in my alt, staying out of sight as I searched for cat food and fuel. I glance down, spotting that police car I've been seeing, a Cardbot. My optics narrowed.
That Cardbot was sealed, allied with the owner of the Metal Breath. That same tool that would take My Beloved away if that kid ever found him. I watch as the kid in question exits the police bot’s alt, entering a building before the bot drives off.
A growl leaves my voice box. That kid better stay away, or there would be problems. I don't have an issue with humans, but with My Sire Protocols taking the reins and now the Metal Breath is here, I can't help being aggressive.
There was only one human I was fine with, and I would chat with her from time to time. I have never told her what I was, but perhaps she can help me. I flew down, finding a spot to transform into my bipedal form. I turn my communications on, waiting for her to pick up.
“Hello?” I hear her voice.
“Hello Vera” I greet.
“Oh Hello Fleta! Do you need something?” She asks, and I could hear the sound of people in the background.
“I'm not disturbing anything am I?” I ask her.
“Oh No, Class hasn't started yet” She says.
“Ah, Well, I was wondering if maybe you could get some Cat Food? I have made some feline companions” I explained.
“Ahh, I can do that, though I am curious why you can't get some yourself?” She says.
“Um-” I say, trying to think of an excuse.
“Let Me Guess, don't like being out socializing?” She guesses, which was so off, but I could work with that.
“You could say that” I say, going along with her assumption.
“Alright Then, just tell me where you want it dropped off” She informs me.
“Got It” I say, feeling relieved to have that handled.
We soon ended the conversation after I sent her the address for the drop, patiently waiting for the food to get here. I stay in my alt, watching as another human drops off a bag of cat food at the location before driving off.
I sigh in relief, transforming back and picking it up. I place it in my subspace, before I zip up into the sky. Cat Food down, now I just need to find some fuel for Dexter and I. Shouldn't be too hard.
I flew around the city some more, and I did find some, storing it away into my subspace with the cat food. It should be enough for a few days. I head back to the cave, landing and entering the cave.
Ebony was the first one to greet me, sitting there with her tail swaying. She was looking at me expectantly.
“I got the food don't worry” I say as I kneel down to her, taking out the food.
Good on Vera for getting both dry and wet. I move over to Dexter, pouring some of the dry food out for Ebony. He takes the wet food from me, opening and feeding it to Sable.
Once the felines were fed, I pulled a canister of fuel, handing it to Dexter. He takes it from me with a look of thanks, which warms my core. I pulled my own out, the both of us refueling for the day.
My inner system hums in satisfaction, screwing the cap back onto the container. Dexter does the same, seeming just as satisfied as I am. I put the canisters away, saving the rest of the fuel for later.
I watch as Ebony mews, snuggling around little Sable in Dexter's lap, seeming very comfortable. It was a core warming sight, and My Love seemed to be gushing over them. He was trying to hide it, but it was obvious. I gave a soft chuckle, amused by the sight.
~
The hours seemed to pass by, and the two Cardbots with their feline companions were snuggled together in the nest. One of the flier's servos rested on the carrying excavator’s chest, feeling the constant warmth and thrumming of the cardling growing inside.
He was content, relaxed to know his beloved was here with him, his optics tracing every part of the sleeping grounder’s frame. While he wasn't ready to let him out of the nest, he couldn't help daydreaming about the sun shining down onto his yellow colored armor, giving it a golden glow.
He lets out a soft sigh.
‘After the little one is with us, I should take y'all out somewhere during the day, where humans won't be able to disturb us. Where I can watch you glow in the sunlight’
Maybe their little one would take after Dexter in terms of colors, which Fleta would happily accept. Seeing both his Love and his cardling shining in the sunlight would be a marvel to behold, one he would treasure forever.
Perhaps they would be a flier like him, and they could zip through the sky, feeling the freedom of the air around them. While it was sad Dexter didn't have a flier alt, and had an excavator instead, it didn't discount Fleta. In fact, he thought it just added to the grounder’s rugged beauty.
Though he despised the amount of dirt that was practically caked onto Dexter, and even himself. His wings were dirty, which really needed a cleaning soon before the dirt got into places he wouldn't be able to reach. It would only be a matter of time before that dirt caused issues, so he really needed to clean himself soon.
‘A nice cleaning for the both of us, just need to find the right place so we can’ He thought, glancing at his dirty wings, grimacing at the caked on dirt.
Night was descending upon the sky. Fleta was about to move himself carefully when Dexter flinched in his hold, alerting the flier.
“Love? Is Everything Ok?” He questioned, concerned about the flinching.
“N-Nothing” The grounder assures, his optics saying otherwise.
“Dexter.” The flier says, his tone now stern and optics now narrowed.
“I heard something, like footsteps” The excavator caves in, looking down now.
“Footsteps?” Fleta questions, gently lifting Dexter's helm up with a servo.
“Several Pairs of Footsteps… Maybe 4? 5?” He says, not too sure.
Ebony mews from where she laid, still curled around a sleeping Sable. Fleta gently scratches underneath her chin with a digit.
“I'll go check it out, Stay-” Fleta begins to say.
“I want to come.” Dexter cuts him off, looking at him with narrowed optics now.
His tone left no room for an argument, which surprised Fleta. There was a look of determination in the Carrier’s optics, like he didn't want to just stay in the Nest alone. The Sire felt his protocols kicking in again. Fleta took a long moment to think, debating and going through his options before sighing heavily.
“Very Well. But You Stay Out Of Sight. Understand?” He says firmly, but gently.
“Mmhm” The grounder nods, moving the felines off his lap and getting up.
Fleta gets up himself, both leaving the nest and the felines following after them. Dexter picks them up, letting them lay in the bucket of his tail.
“I'll scour ahead, stay in the forest alright?” The flier says.
“Got It” He affirms.
Fleta then took off into the sky as he summoned his bow. Dexter continues his trek through the forest, coming to the edge as darkness keeps him hidden, even with his bright colored armor.
The flier looks down, spotting a small group of kids and an adult. He notices the blue haired kid, which he immediately recognized as the Owner of the Metal Breath. Alarm bells went off, and his protocols kicked in even harder.
A snarl is ripped from him, and he unconditionally shoots a warning arrow into a nearby construction vehicle. The group yelped and backs up, snapping their heads around for the source of the arrow.
“GET OUT!”
They snap their heads up to him, and he drops right onto the now destroyed construction vehicle. His wings were flared again and his optics narrowed, aiming his bow at the group threateningly.
“I SAID. GET OUT!”
“A Metal Cardbot!” He heard the blue-haired kid whisper, angering Fleta more.
“I Won't Say It Again.” He snarls, drawing back an arrow, ready to shoot.
“No No Wait! We Aren't Here To Cause You Any Trouble!” The pink haired girl tries to reason.
“My Problem is You being Here. You are Far too Close.” The flier growls.
“Far Too Close? To What?” The adult questions.
“Why should I tell You.” His optics narrowed more.
“This site doesn't belong to You.” The teal colored kid fires back.
“I don't appreciate You waltzing closer to My Home.” He snarls.
“Home? What-” The blue haired kid begins.
“And I don't appreciate You being Here.” He cuts the kid off.
“W-What??” The kid looked confused.
“You are far too close to My Mate. I don't trust You around him.” He growls.
He was so focused on the group that he didn't hear the approaching vehicle and transformation sounds. Dexter heard it though, optics widening and immediately sprinted over.
“FLETA LOOK OUT!” He shouts, shoving the flier out of the way.
Fleta fell backwards, watching in horror as the sword slash grazed Dexter's eyes, causing them to start glitching out and static forming in the Carrier's vision.
“DEXTER!”
The group gasped out in horror.
“I Can't See Anything!” The grounder shouts, panic showing through the static.
“Where did he come from!?” The brown haired kid whispered to the blue haired kid.
“I don't know!?” The blue haired kid whispers back.
“You were Not My Target.” The new Cardbot growls, yellow optics locked on Dexter, who was holding his face as he tried to desperately fix his vision.
Fleta felt rage building up, getting back onto his pedes.
“Wait Don't Fight-” The adult tries to reason, but is ultimately cut off as Fleta launches himself at the Cardbot.
The two wrestled one another, clawing and slashing at the armor of the other. Dexter now held his audials, everything sounding too loud. He needed to get away. He needed it to be quiet. So he bolted.
Fleta was still locked in a fight with the other bot, but wasn't oblivious to Dexter running off. His mate was in pain, blind to his surroundings, and was more stressed than he should be. He needed this fight to end quickly.
~
I kicked the bot back, but before he could try to attack me again, another bot was summoned and caught the bot’s sword with his own weapon. As thankful as I was, I wasn't about to let the kid seal me, not with Dexter out alone, blind.
I knew it was a bad idea to bring him out, I should've known something would happen. Now he's hurt and Deus Machina knows where. I glance at the kid, who locks optics with me.
“I still don't trust You.” I hiss before I shoot up into the sky, transforming into my alt.
~
I couldn't see, everything was still too loud. Stress was running in my system, with sweet Ebony trying to comfort me as I ran. I located a tunnel and began running towards it.
“Dexter Stop!” A voice behind me shouts, alarm racing through me.
Out of defense, I summoned my drill.
“Stop Following Me! You're Not Fleta!” I shout, shooting a Spiral Ray at the bot following me.
In a panic, I dug into the ground. I just needed to get away, find somewhere quiet. I dug and dug, everything too blurry. Too glitchy. Too staticy. Too loud.
I continued digging, keeping my feline companions out of the way of the falling dirt. I didn't care about it caking onto my armor, it didn't matter right now, what mattered was finding a quieter place.
~
Fleta soared through the skies, checking everywhere for Dexter. He had to be somewhere, and the flier needed to find him quickly before that kid did. He was not gonna lose him to some child.
_To Be Continued_