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Gestalts know each other inside and out.
They hear each other in their processors at all times, whether in the front or back. All the thoughts, the worries, the secrets are exposed for the gestalt to see. It was why combining could even happen between gestalt members; they’re perfectly intertwined.
It was also why everything between them was common knowledge. Even when a member really, really wished that wasn’t the case.
It had taken a moment for the Constructicons to decode Prowl’s thoughts. Their Prowl was so smart, purposely coming up with a new language to think in to avoid his secrets being spilled. But over time, they had learned, or perhaps Prowl had slipped, and they had access to his innermost being.
He’s a mess.
A frenzy of worry and stress pulsed through the bond any time one of the Constructicons probed at Prowl. It’s painful to feel. They love Prowl. Prowl is part of them.
I just want a break.
That one thought got the Constructicons thinking. Prowl desperately needed that break. They talked about it, over and over, and just helping Prowl here and there didn’t seem like enough. They needed something bigger. Something that completely emptied Prowl’s plate for a while.
“Aw, fussbot, it’s all okay. Let’s get you your paci…” Scavenger said, bouncing Prowl in his arms as he patted the table beside the berth.
He found the pacifier - Constructicon purple and green - and popped it into Prowl’s mouth. The mech’s cries quieted to whimpers as he began to suckle. Teary optics stared at Scavenger as though he had personally caused the upset.
Perhaps to a regressed mech like Prowl, he had.
It was Prowl’s nap time, and he simply did not want to rest. He was still getting used to being small and having a schedule, so he was frustrated and fussy and upset. He’d just had the same reaction to his midday bottle of energon, and to a diaper change before that. It seemed that being met with the patience of his gestalt - his Ammis and Oppys - only made him more upset and yet more clingy.
He wants so badly, but he’s not quite ready to let himself have.
Scavenger pressed a kiss to Prowl’s forehelm. There was only one thing to do when a fussy sparkling didn’t want to nap. He continued to bounce Prowl as he wandered around the house. He found his secret weapon in the common area, sitting on the couch and humming as he labeled bottles of energon.
“Hey, Ammi. I think someone needs you.” Scavenger said.
Longhaul looked up. His visor glinted with joy upon seeing Prowl.
“My little mech~ Aren’t you supposed to be rechargin’?” Longhaul cooed, holding out his arms.
It’s hard not to chuckle at the way Prowl practically threw himself at Longhaul. The Constructicons can hear his thoughts. He loves each of them. But as with most bitlets, there was just something special about Ammi that he liked. Scavenger sat beside Longhaul on the couch and helped him get comfortable.
“Now, what’s got you so upset, l’il bit? Is Amma pinchin’ you?” Longhaul joked, the back of his digit rubbing against Prowl’s cheek plate.
“I would never! He’s just a little grumpy.” Scavenger said.
“Wonder if maybe he’s still hungry. Wanna hand me one of those bottles?”
Prowl whined. He wasn’t hungry at all. He was just tired, and he felt guilty for being tired when he hadn’t done anything to be tired. Longhaul’s the largest of his gestalt mates, and the softest in frame; Prowl wanted to snuggle with him and let it ease his overworked processor. He sighed when Longhaul began to rock him, patting him gently as his optics dimmed and his mouth worked lazily at his pacifier.
“Alright, now, you’re alright. A nice recharge is all you need to get you back in a playin’ mood, hm?” Longhaul soothed.
Prowl reached up, tucking his servo into Longhaul’s chestplate. He liked when he was able to lay on his Ammi’s energon reservoirs, all soft and warm. He would settle for this, though. He let himself relax a little more as his optics went dark. A nap was just what he needed, he supposed.
“You really got the magic touch, Longhaul. He loves you.” Scavenger said.
“Aw, it’s just ‘cause I got a little extra bulk in the soft spots. I make a good pillow, that’s about it.” Longhaul said, tracing the bridge of Prowl’s nasal ridge with his digit tip.
“Oh, please. He likes you the most. You get him to fuel and recharge so easy.”
“Well, I kinda have his energon on me at all times. But he likes you readin’ to him and stuff. We all got our things, don’t get down about it.”
Scavenger rested his helm on Longhaul and watched Prowl sleep.
*****
Prowl didn’t quite know how to feel about his new…arrangement with the Constructicons at times. It made him feel ridiculous and weak sometimes, to need this kind of break from everything.
However, moments like this, waking up fuzzy and warm in Longhaul’s arms, made him feel safe. Like this thing he needed was okay, encouraged.
He brought his optics back online slowly and focused them on Longhaul. The big mech was looking down at him with a soft expression.
“Look who’s awake~ Did my l’il Prowl have a good nappy-bye?” Longhaul asked.
Prowl whined, squirming a bit to make himself comfortable again. He tugged weakly at Longhaul’s chestplate. He’s hungry now. Too hungry to wait for a bottle. He likes Longhaul better anyway, he’s more like his pacifier.
“Jeez, I think he likes those things more than we do.”
Prowl recognized the voice as Mixmaster’s. There’s a jolt of shame in his circuits at the words. It is rather embarrassing to want such a thing. He’s not a real sparkling.
“They make food for him. ‘Course he likes them, dummy.”
That’s Bonecrusher. Prowl gave the plate another tug, trying to get it open. He’s reaching the fussy stage of needing fuel. He’s learned now that when he’s small, everything had a fussy stage, a point where he was close to a full tantrum from waiting for his needs to be met. It’s hard for him to come to terms with, even when the Constructicons tell him that’s normal behavior for a bitlet his age.
Prowl blinked and suddenly Bonecrusher’s servos were there, helping Longhaul move his chestplates to expose his energon reservoirs. Prowl rooted against one sack until Longhaul guided the nozzle into his mouth. He latched, suckling down warm energon with a satisfied little noise.
“He’s in a good mood, ain't he? Must’ve just needed a nap and more fuel.” Mixmaster said.
“Hope he’ll be ready to play once he’s done. I know it’s been kinda tough for him, but I think I finally found a toy he’ll like.” Bonecrusher said.
Prowl looked up at Bonecrusher, his optical ridge rising. A new toy? He hasn’t played with any of the other ones. Playing felt like such a waste of time, something only real sparklings do. Being fed and held was more than enough. He couldn't bother the Constructicons with entertaining him, too.
However, it didn’t stop Prowl from wondering. He has plush toys and dolls, coloring books and little cars, even a construction site play set. He does little more than stare at them when they’re placed before him during his scheduled play time. Maybe this time it would be a puzzle, or some little mechanimals. Last time they’d walked around the city, the Constructicons had gushed over dress-up clothes. Perhaps that was the new toy?
Prowl’s thoughts were interrupted as Longhaul moved him to his other side to drink from the right reservoir. Prowl turned up his nasal ridge. He was too curious about the toy to drink any more fuel. Longhaul laughed and handed Prowl off to Bonecrusher. Bonecrusher took Prowl to the play mat in the middle of the floor and sat him on it. As he retrieved the surprise, he sent a little message through the gestalt bond.
Givin’ the bitty a present. Get over here.
Hiding the bag behind his back, Bonecrusher waited for the rest of his partners to arrive. Scavenger, Scrapper, and Hook came in and found a place to sit. Scavenger has a camera in his servos. He couldn’t wait to capture a sweet smile from their little one.
Bonecrusher finally presented the bag to Prowl. The little mech cocked his helm and put his thumb in his mouth. Wasn’t Bonecrusher going to open it?
“Oh, don’t let him suck his digits.” Hook said, getting up and placing a pacifier in Prowl’s mouth.
“Jeez, it ain’t gonna kill him. Now, are you ready to see your new toy, Prowlie?” Bonecrusher asked.
Prowl stared at him. Of course he was ready! He leaned forward a bit as Bonecrusher pulled a box from the bag. He opened the box and in a swift motion, he dumped out its contents. Prowl blinked as bright, colorful blocks fell to the floor. There’s large and small ones, all squares and rectangles. Prowl assumed they were made of a soft material from the sound they made. He had to know if he was right.
He reached out and picked a block up. He squeezed it in his servo, enjoying the way it squished and returned to shape.
“Aww, he loves them!” Scavenger gushed, snapping a picture.
“It’s the first toy he’s even touched.” Scrapper said.
“Maybe he just wanted to build something, like we do.” Longhaul suggested.
Prowl stared at the blocks. Build. He could stack them and make a little tower, like the Constructicons do, like Ammi said! He set the block down and grabbed another, placing it on top of the first. He looked around.
“Yay, Prowl! You’re playing! Good job!” Mixmaster said, clapping his servos.
The other Constructicons joined in on the praise. Something warm bloomed in Prowl. They’re proud of him! They like the way he’s playing! He put one more block on the tower. More praise. He chanced another.
The tower toppled.
Prowl’s processor began to race. He’s horrible. He doesn’t deserve this, he can’t even play properly! But the thoughts quieted as Bonecrusher gently grabbed his servo and guided it to a block.
“Oppy’ll help you, l’il bit. You just have fun, don’t worry ‘bout anything else.” Bonecrusher soothed.
Prowl supposed fun made sense. He’s a sparkling. He shouldn’t be a master builder or tactician or anything else, even if the nagging voice in his processor said otherwise.
Maybe this whole thing was just like his new toy. Meant to be taken block by block until it all made more sense. Luckily, he had his Ammis and Oppys to help make sure the blocks were stacked.