#so i'm not sure if the boots are remotely correct looking..

[lunnefisk]

experimenting with some dither brushes i found for sai to shade pixel art, heres a lil heather mason walking on your dash

[feelmyskinonyourskin]

going to the beach with Frank?

tbh I think he would hate it

You are 10000% correct. My brain just can not picture Frank not in jeans/tac pants and combat boots even to sleep. That man in shorts and barefoot in the sand? Nahhh

I'm sure he went with his kids cause Brighton Beach and such isn't a far hop skip from Queens. But he only did it because he loved making family memories.

Also the parts of Iraq and Afghanistan he was stationed in were probably pretty remote and mostly a sandy/dirt terrain so he grew to absolutely hate it from his time in the Marines. It ended up in all his gear, in his cot on base, his guns and other equipment had to be cleaned way more often to get it out. (I know these countries are diverse in landscape and not all desert, but just stories I've heard from vets that served there was they were never in the big cities and always in remote places like this and all there was to look at on any given day was dirt, rocks, and sand.)

You'd really have to beg and plead to get him to join you for a beach day or god forbid a vacation. If it was just a day at one of the beaches easily accessible from the city, he would go but stay in his jeans and combat boots the whole time and just stand and watch you. Frank's face is always stoic, so you never know what he's thinking, but there's a certain edge to it and you know he's grumpy but trying to hide it to not ruin your good time. He gets close to the water to watch you swim and be close for safety reasons, but never even lets it touch his toes. And for days after you can hear him grumbling about finding more sand on things and in his truck. He also doesn't give me vibes of a guy who has any kind of body/skin care routine that isn't a 21 in 1 shampoo, so he doesn't sunscreen his face or body and then you also have to listen to him bitch for days while his sunburn peels. He never complains about the pain from any injuries he gets when he's out Punishering, but he's being whiney about sunburn? You betcha.

And a few days at a beach location for a vacation? Forget it. To quote Curtis, Frank hates "just standing still, that's why you're always looking for a fight, any excuse to keep moving." Frank is down for any vacation to a big city that involves lots of sight seeing and go go going, but to get him to just sit on a beach for a few days and just relax? He'd be on your nerves in less than an hour. Fidgeting in his chair, bored with his book, huffing and licking his lips as he looks around. Coupled with the sand in everything... Yeah it really tests your relationship since he's so damn cranky the whole time.

[tomfoolies]

selfshiptober: tomja edition days 9-11

gonna say it immediately: all of these are super sappy, super fluffy, VERY silly and completely self-indulgent. the worst in that regard so far, that's for sure. that's why i wrote them, but i figured i'd give everyone a heads-up so y'all can't sue me if the sweetness of these is too much to handle 🤭

9. music 

Just as they leave the club, in that perfect state of drunk where the world feels both dreamy and sharp, real and fantastical — Sonja hears it. Barely audible through all the noise, both from the establishment they just left and the sleepless city they stepped back into. But she recognises it immediately.

"Our song! Are you kidding me?"

Tom spares a glance over his shoulder, listens, and then turns back to her. A look of exaggerated disbelief on his face. "This is our song?"

"One of our songs," she corrects herself, sighing in similar overdramatic fashion. "Hours of shitty song after shitty song and only after we leave, the good stuff starts."

From her lamenting he gets an idea. He holds out his hand for her, but it takes her a while to pick up what he's putting down. Once the choreography of his move becomes clear to her, she lets herself be pulled into an impromptu dance that's an awful mess to anyone watching. Their feet keep colliding, their rhythms do not match, and she ends up having to hold onto his jacket to stay upright.

Their shared drunken high hazes things over, and the streetlight they're directly under becomes a spotlight shining upon them.

10. warmth 

Tom hears the front door open and close, then the usual sounds from the hallway; the rustle and thud of Sonja taking off her coat and boots, the clink of the leashes as she releases Juno and Mondale. The dogs come barreling down the hallway, beelining to their food bowls in the kitchen. She follows quickly behind them, but her target is one particularly defenseless man situated right in the middle of the living room couch.

"Move over, big guy. I'm fucking freezing."

But the warning comes too late, and he yelps when her glacial body collides with his in a way that rivals the Titanic.

"I did not need to be convinced about it," he complains as she digs her cold feet into the toasty space between his thighs and the couch cushions. "Did the nuclear winter finally start?"

"It sure felt like it."

She reaches over to grab the TV remote from the coffee table. Soon the dogs come trodding over, bellies full; Mondale jumps next to her onto the couch while Juno settles at their feet. Both content and comfortable, just like their owners.

11. recovery

When he wakes up, hours have passed. The bedroom's shrouded in darkness, but the light coming from beneath the door tells him it's still daytime. Sonja's right next to him on her side of the bed, work laptop propped up on her knee while she types away. The light from the screen shines a dim spotlight on her face; an expression of deep focus, of mild annoyance. When she notices he's awake, her whole face softens.

Her voice is mellow, almost a whisper. "Feeling better? The meds kicked in?"

It'd been a while since the last bout of migraines this intense, so when she'd gone raiding the medicine cabinet and returned with a prescription bottle, the expiration date on it almost faded, she worried they wouldn't be of much help. His head still feels like it's not quite correctly attached to the rest of him, and the dizziness returns for a moment when he sits up, but the pain seems to have faded beneath a relieving numbness.

"I think so, yeah." A beat of tentative silence, then: "Thank you."

Overtaken by emotion, she reaches out in a feeble attempt to tame his hair, in a state of total disarray from his nap. Her touch is barely there, making sure not to hurt him. It makes him feel fragile, yet at the same time revered — a completely novel feeling. Something he can't quite wrap his head around.

[problematicbots]

Winged Sentinel au:

Act 2 Snippet 8: The Retrial

Warning Sequel to a fanfic

*A few moments before Steelhaven landed on Cybertron *

Alpha Trion, with a remote on his left servo, stepped on the doorstep of a fancy, tall white building with Ironhide behind him, looking completely mortified.

This was a part of Alpha Trion's little backup plan, which he originally was going to let Ironhide do; however, the whole “incident” with the Aerialbots left him so distraught that he was partially useless to do anything other than take Alpha Trion to places and there as a witness for Wasp trial yet to make sure that he doesn't miss anything up Alpha Trion install a camera and microphone in his neck while he was sleeping with this remote controlling it.

After all Ironhide at this point was like a mindless contraption going through the same motions with no purpose; the lights were on; however, nobody was home other than the soft mutters of guilt from the helpless orange mech he keeps repeating “I didn't mean to” over and over again under his breath along with words that Alpha Trion told him to say during the trial.

Fortunately, Alpha Trion has another ally up his sleeve: he knows the procurator of Wasp's case personally since he happened to be his brother.

Sure Alpha Trion hasn't talked to his brother in many cycles not since the last time there was a retrial on Cybertron but this was his only shot to make sure that his plan doesn't fall apart and full proof with no flaws so taking a breath he knocked on the door

“Alchemist, it’s me; I have something of interest to you in your upcoming trial, “ called out Alpha, knocking on the door, hoping to get his brother's attention.

After knocking for a few seconds, the door suddenly opened, revealing Alchemist behind it with a wide, friendly smile.

“Ah, isn't my foolish brother, so you finally decided to visit; please come in and bring in your friend too,” chipped Alchemist.

“He’s not my friend he's merely an escort” sighed Alpha Trion ignoring the insult from Alchemist’s glossa

“oh...Ah, I see, “ sighed Alchemist, stepping further inside with Alpha Trion and Ironhide following behind.

Inside Alchemist’s homestead were many datapads in law and alchemy scattered across many selves; the walls were decorated with many awards and achievements that all declared him with the perfect record.

Alchemist led them to a corner bar ushering Ironhide and Alpha Trion to sit down as he started searching for some enegon in a nearby storage compartment in the corner for his guests to consume.

“So what type of enegon do you prefer, pink or blue?” asked Alchemist, searching through the storage compartment. “I myself love pink considering it cares for families which I am sure that you could learn a thing or two from”

“Red,” stated Alpha Trion, pulling out the Red Energon from his glove compartment with his right servo and slamming on the bar counter, catching Alchemist’s attention immediately.

Alchemist let out a deep sigh before taking some pink enegon from the storage compartment and passing over to Ironhide and Alpha Trion to enjoy

“Straight to point as always, brother, I presume that this red Energon links back to Wasp's case, doesn't it?” deduced Alchemist.

.“Correct brother, this was found under his berth at the boot camp” uttered Alpha Trion “I'm sure this would be at used for your little procuration “

“Well that certainly going to get him in some trouble isn't it however this has nothing to do with his current case, that would open a whole new trial unless, of course, the red energon was still in his system “ chuckled Alchemist “After no bot in their right hard drive would let somebody running on red energon in a public place, better gone than online if you know what I mean “

“My thoughts exactly so if you could a small favor be me and slip this into his oil I think we both could gain a win here “ purpose Alpha Trion pressing the red enegon over to Alchemist “Considering can't exactly attend myself in public”

Alchemist picked up the red Energon scanning it with a look of curiosity and interest as he couldn't help but have a lingering question on his hardware.

“Sure I would win here yet what do you have to gain here brother after all as far I am concerned from what I saw from the news this wouldn't get back into the council's favors” questioned Alchemist “So what do you have to gain here”

“I tell you what I will gain, brother, I could sleep peacefully at night knowing that history won't repeat itself over again,” answered Alpha Trion nebulously.

“ah I see so this isn't for power, this is a little plot to fulfill your own bitterness from the last time that I failed you in a retrial“ muttered Alchemist “when that let that little neutral fee”

This gets on Alpha Trion's nerves: how dare his accused brother accuse him of being bitter when to him he was doing this for the better of Cybertron.

“This isn't for my own personal fulfillment brother “ slightly hissed Alpha Trion leaning close to his brother's faceplate. “and this your neutral that speak of was proven to be a danger to Cybertron “

“Really, because as far as I am concerned, Cybertron isn't one of your students whom you can't even see anymore, “ shooted back Alchemist. "What was her name again? I can't quite remember”

This was the straw that broke Alpha Trion's composure as the old mech got up from his seat to press Alchemist against a wall in anger causing most of the awards along the wall to fall onto the ground and snapping Ironhide out of his distraught trance as he looks on at in horrified at the site in front of him and him quickly realizing that Alpha Trion put something in his neck making him gurgled as he felt the pain of the hidden camera and microphone his neck.

While Alpha Trion was “talking” to Alchemist, Ironhide looked for a reflective surface to find that there was a barely visible camera lens in the middle of his neck along with Alpha Trion’s reflection which showed the old mech having the remote in his servos pressing the buttons on it in rage making Ironhide gasp as he connects the dots in his helm.

However, he quickly covered his glossa so couldn't get Alpha Trion’s attention since he didn't know what else this old mech was capable of. Fortunately for him, Alpha Trion was far too busy with Alchemist to notice anything different about Ironhide.

“Listen Unless you want you’re perfect little record to be broken once again I suggest you follow my plan and leave her out of this “ growled Alpha Trion “After all know how much you care about winning brother “

Alchemist stared down at the fallen award in a long silence as his optics widened before putting the red Energon inside of his glove compartment.

“v-very well I will help you with your little plan.” choked Alchemist in pain as Alpha Trion kept pushing his faceplate against the wall. “However I would need an assistant to do so considering the prosecutor ordering the defendant a drink could raise a few red flags “

“I'm sure you could find someone to bribe on the street to do so” uttered Alpha Trion backing away from his brother and putting his servos behind his back “For now you and Ironhide here have trial to attend to “

“The escort?” questioned Alchemist wondering what Ironhide had anything to do with the trial.

“He's a witness, “ uttered Alpha Trion. “A useful one at that, as long as you and him do exactly as I say, understand?”

Alpha Trion poked his servo at the place where Ironhide's camera was on his neck causing the Ironhide to gulp in fear while Alchemist got the message that Alpha Trion was sending.

“I Understand bother “ nodded Alchemist

“Good now let go” ushered Alpha Trion over to the door “We have much work to do together ‘

Together the three mechs exited the building with Alchemist fully prepared to ruin an autobot’s life for the sake of holding his title and with Alpha Trion with motives were personal despite his protests while Ironhide felt as helpless as ever.

Ironhide knew this was wrong; all of this was messed up, yet he didn't know who to turn to for help since nobody liked him. Yet he couldn't take this anymore. He needed to tell someone what was happening, yet he didn't know how to do that without Alpha Trion watching his every move.

The only thing he could think of was to wait for the perfect moment for the camera lens to close, for a moment where he was away from the trial and alone with somebody to spill the beans however the would take perfect timing to do so, and a bit of luck so the only thing that Ironhide could do was pray to Primus that he got lucky.

_______________________________________

*The Current Time*

After asking a few bots about Wasp's whereabouts, Bumblebee found out that Wasp was in a guest room on the fourth floor of Fortress Maximus so wanting to be sneaky Bumblebee climbed inside an abandoned vent in the side of Fortress Maximus crawling inside the ventilation system giggling about this was the best prank ever until he spotted Wasp in between the bars of the vent where the green mech was sleeping on a nice looking berth next to a table that has a can of oil on it with note attached to it that was from Ratchet.

Bumblebee began cackling a bit loud as he removed the vent and sneakily crawled over to the can of oil with a little “oops” as he dropped the red Energon inside of oil watching it quickly dissolve, blending perfectly with the oil.

“This going to be so good” whispered Bumblebee with a light chuckle as he sneaked back inside the ventilation systems closing the vent behind him the way it was like he wasn't there in the first place

Bumblebee tries to find his way back out of Fortress Maximus from the way he came from, yet unfortunately, he easily gets turned around when he comes upon a folk in the road, one passageway leading right while the other one leads left.

“huh…Wait did I take a left or right” asked Bumblebee genuinely confused

Bumblebee kept looking between the two passageways until he picked one at random, and he kept crawling until he saw a bright light coming from between the bars of a random vent.

Assuming this was the exit to the outside of the base, Bumblebee opened the vent and crawled out of it without zero hesitation only to be disappointed to find that end up in a random hallway within the building.

“Aw man, come on!” yelped Bumblebee, ready to crawl back inside the ventilation system until he heard a familiar voice behind him.

“ What the Bumblebee- what are you doing here?!” asked the familiar voice. “Aren't you supposed to be with Sari and Prowl like you wanted?!”

Bumblebee turned around to find that the voice belonged no other than Optimus who was staring down at the yellow mech with crossed arms. Bumblebee immediately yelped standing up and closing the vent behind like nothing happened.

“Oh I was just huh- I was just here to huh.. apologize to Wasp you know just like you say” lied Bumblebee “You know take responsibility”

“So how exactly is crawling into a vent apologizing to Wasp” questioned Optimus with a glare “What about Sari she can't just leave her behind”

“Well I changed my mind! “lied Bumblebee “After all, you were the one that wanted me to take responsibility didn't you and this me talking responsibility by being here“

“Bumblebee If you want to take responsibility you would march up there and apologize to him now” piped up Optimus slightly raising his voice “Not.. whatever this is”

“Well, I want it to be big you know... like huh you know doing it at the trial with you guys on my side “ lied Bumblebee “I'll do it there I promise you know by saying that's he innocent, that how trial works right”

“Are sure or are you just going to run off again” questioned Optimus narrowing his optics

“Yes, I swear, “ lied Bumblebee. “Come on, Optimus, don't you trust me? We’re a team... I promise I will do this for real”!

Optimus kept glaring at Bumblebee with suspicion when suddenly Sentinel came into the hallway.

“Ah, There you are, Optimus, The trial is about to start-” Sentinel cut himself off when he saw Bumblebee next to Optimus, making the blue prime grind his glossa in frustration.

“WHAT THE FRAG IS HE DOING HERE I THOUGHT WE HAVE A AGREEMENT!” yelped Sentinel pointing at Bumblebee's faceplate

“Sentinel, I swear have no idea that he would do this “ sighed Optimus “but apparently he is here to apologize to Wasp during the trial by helping us on jury “

“wh- WHAT he can't- he THERE is protocols here, Optimus, “ yelped Sentinel. “He can't just show up to trial out of nowhere?!”

“I know Sentinel but I promise under my watch he wouldn't cause any trouble and he would apologize to Wasp” swore Optimus before turning to the yellow bot with another glare “Right, Bumblebee”

“Oh yeah definitely!” lied Bumblebee visibly nervous “No trouble here”

Sentinel glared between Optimus and Bumblebee with narrow optics, clearly not liking this at all as he pinched his non-existent nose.

“He better not frag up this trial Optimus” huffed Sentinel “An autobot's innocence is on the line here ”

“I understand,” sighed Optimus, as annoyed as Sentinel is.

“Now let's go before they start without us,” yelled Sentinel, ushering Optimus and Bumblebee into the council hall.

Inside of council hall Wasp was sitting on the defendant's stand looking shaky, Smokescreen next to him standing as his lawyer while Alchemist stood across on the opposing team, in the corner Optimus’s crew sat in the jury stand and the council bench in front, the council along with most of the elite guard sat on there ready to start this trial.

Sentinel made his way over to the council bench while Optimus made his way to the jury bench with Bumblebee during which Wasp gave him death glare as soon as he saw the yellow mech.

“Isn't Bumblebee supposed to be away from Wasp?” hissed Wasp at Sentinel and Optimus, feeling betrayed by the site of Bumblebee at his trial.

“wait Wasp it's ok, Bumblebee isn't here to hurt you, he's here to help “spoke Optimus trying to calm down Wasp before glaring over at Bumblebee “Right Bumblebee”

Bumblebee gulped and nodded in his helm in agreement while looking nervous; however, Wasp remained unconvinced, giving the yellow mech side eyes until Ultra Magnus sat down on the judge bench, catching everyone's attention by hitting the end of the hammer on the bench.

“By the order of the council, this trial shall commence” announced Ultra Magnus “The first witness Sentinel Prime shall go up to the stand “

Sentinel gruffed something under his breath about “I just got up here “ before reluctantly getting up from his seat to head over the witness stand.

“Sentinel Prime where were you during the events that took place in the boot camp “ questioned Ultra Magnus

“I was you know doing my duties as the drill sergeant checking on the latest recruits when suddenly Bumblebee and Longarms came up to me a Decepticonso spying device that they found in Wasp's bunk” recounted Sentinel “So I did any Autobot would do and order for his arrest”

“Hold it! You haven't even thought about sending in a full investigation team” piped in Smokescreen “You just ordered for him to get arrested right away”

“in my defense, I didn't want a potential Decepticon running around the boot camp” yelped Sentinel defensively “It risked security and how was I supposed to at the time that Longarms was the spy “

“And yet you risk arresting a potential innocent Autobot “shot down Smokescreen. “Did you even notice any suspicious behavior from Wasp beforehand?”

This stunned Sentinel into silence as he started to realize that he remembered Wasp wasn't acting suspiciously at all, and this silence caused the jury to talk to each other along with the council in judgment, especially with Ultra Magnus. He gave Sentinel a glare that made the prime sink down in embarrassment.

“Ok fine in retrospect I..I admit may of huh.. overreacted a little bit “ gulped Sentinel feeling like an idiot and feelings guilty about what he's done

“Oh you think?! “ yelped Ratchet standing up from the jury stand with crossed arms

“Ratchet-” Optimus was cut off by Ratchet telling Sentinel off.

“He arrested an innocent bot Optimus he needed a scolding or two” grumbled Ratchet “he can't just do things without thinking”

The Ratchet’s long scolding of Sentinel's actions was cut off by Ultra Magnus hitting his hammer against the bench catching their attention once again.

“That's enough, Ratchet,” huffed Ultra Magnus. “Smokescreen what do you say to this “

“Well, sir, it is clear to me that my client's first case was handled with negligence, and the lack of any evidence other than the one that was used to frame him shows that, without a doubt, this was a result of Autobot mishandling”, declared Smokescreen.

“Any objections” asked Ultra Magnus over to Alchemist.

“Yes sir, you see, the investigation team that you sent out found something quite interesting at the screen of the crime: red energon under Wasp's berth, “ objected Alchemist.

The mention of Red Energon sent fearful and disgusted gasps across the council, the jury and the elite guard with Sentinel letting out a loud “ Excuse ME WHAT!” while Wasp's optics widen in petrification meanwhile Bumblebee still doesn't understand the implications of this at all so he was just smiling oblivious to the weight of the situation.

“I don't see the big deal, it 's just enegon but red right?” whispered Bumblebee to Optimus.

“Bumblebee! That is the most illegal enegon in all of Cybertron! “ whispered Optimus grinding his glossa “This could get sent to the deepest part of prison or worse executed”

While Optimus was explaining what red Energon is to Bumblebee, Smokescreen was doing his duty as Wasp’s lawyer to defend him from being declared guilty.

“Hold on, how can we know that Shockwave didn't just throw that in to frame him as a backup plan? “ pointed out Smokescreen.

“Because there a witness that saw it” shooted back Alchemist “You may know him as Ironhide “

Wasp’s spark stopped when he heard Ironhide’s name come out. Alchemist Glossa: Ironhide was once his friend, somebody that he could count on, and he remembered his spark being broken when he saw that Ironhide didn't attend his first trial.

Ironhide has failed to be there for him before, and now it seems like, at least to Wasp, that old best friend has completely turned his back on him.

“Very well, Sentinel move out of the way for the next witness “ ordered Ultra Magnus to the blue prime

Sentinel moved out of the way for Ironhide to take the witness stand; however, while heading back to sit back at the council bench, Sentinel couldn't help but notice something small yet shining in the middle of Ironhide's neck.

This was, of course, the camera hidden in Ironhide's neck. However, from Sentinel's perspective, it was a shiny object that he couldn't help but narrow his optics until he suddenly closed, making the prime question what he just saw, considering he has been having visions lately so he wasn't sure he could trust his optics.

Meanwhile, Ironhide himself saw that the camera lens got Sentinel’s attention, seeing this as an opportunity he quickly pointed at his neck multiple times yet unfortunately Ultra Magnus ordered Sentinel to come back to his seat making the blue prime shake his helm thinking that he was having visions again yet this make Ironhide once again felt helpless.

“Now Ironhide what do you know that links Wasp back to the red energon “ questioned Ultra Magnus

Wasp gives Ironhide a pleading look from the defense stand, telling him not to do this with his pleading optics; however, the camera lens opens, reminding Ironhide how helpless he truly is in this situation.

“I-I was taking a stroll through the boot camp when I spotted from a window Wasp inside of an alleyway with somebody and when I took a closer look I saw him.. buying red energon“ gulped Ironhide

Wasp felt betrayed by this since he knew the story that Ironhide told was mostly true except for one part that got his nerves.

“False! Hide was to one that paid for it” hissed Wasp ready to take somebody who he thought was a friend

“So you admitted to having an involvement with red energon” smirked Alchemist

“Wasp-huh!” Wasp gurgled as he realized that he walked straight into Alchemist’s trap.

This caused gasps across the council hall as everyone talked and spread rumors about the implications of such an act until Ultra Magnus silenced every one by hitting his hammer against the bench as he ordered everybody to remain silent to let the procuration and defense keep talking.

“E-even that the case this has nothing to do with my client's current case “ protested Smokescreen viably looking nervous

“Unless he is still on that red Energon and we don't want a crazy bot on red energon in this court do we?” uttered Alchemist “I suggest we do a blood test just to be safe”

Ultra Magnus and the council talk among themselves about whether there will be a blood test or not.

Meanwhile, Bumblebee is slowly realizing that he messed up by putting the red Energon inside of Wasp's oil.

“Oh- no,” gulped Bumblebee, slowly realizing that he messed up.

“What do you mean oh no” asked Optimus with a glare

“Huh, don't be mad at me, but I may sort of, huh..put some red Energon inside of Wasp’s oil while he was sleeping,” whispered Bumblebee towards Optimus.

“YOU WHAT?” shouted Optimus out loud, catching everyone’s attention, especially Sentinel, as they all stared at the red prime's sudden outburst.

Optimus gulped when he saw that all optics were on him, especially Ultra Magnus who gave him an intense glare, looking disappointed at Optimus's sudden outburst.

“huh-Ultra Magnus sir if you don't mind I need to uh speak to Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Wasp's lawyer privately” uttered Optimus trying his best to hold in his upcoming rage

“Along if you don't let out have another outburst like that again Optimus, then yes there shall be a brief recess for our medics to test if Wasp is indeed on the red energon “ sighed Ultra Magnus “For now you are all dismissed”

With a wave of his servo, Ultra Magnus signals a few guards who come towards Wasp dragging him away for testing in Preceptor's lab.

“Hey, be careful with him!” scolded Ratchet following the guards behind while Optimus dragged Bumblebee outside of the council hall everyone else left for the quick recess in an endless crowd of Cybertron

Once outside the council hall, Optimus left the crowd and dragged Bumblebee to a corner to confront him with Bulkhead, joined by Smokescreen, who was muttering under his breath, “This is not good, this not good “ over and over again.

“What do you mean you put red energon in his oil?! “ hissed Optimus, pushing Bumblebee against a wall. “Do you have any idea what that stuff could do to him? His spark could give out in seconds!”

“Hey, how was I supposed to know it was illegal!” Yelped Bumblebee “This was supposed to be a prank! That Alchemist guy tricked me!”

“A trick or not you shouldn't spike somebody else’s oil!!, do you have any idea how disgusting that is?” shouted Optimus in rage. “You need to tell everyone what you have done, or else I will!”.

“But I don't want to go to prison, Optimus. I'm-” Bumblebee was cut off by an Angry hissed from Optimus.

“no, I'm done with your excuses, Bumblebee; you don't even care that you could have hurt him!” yelled Optimus. “did you even come here to apologize to him? Why did you come here, Bumblebee? Tell me the truth!”

Bumblebee was hesitant for a moment, stuttering under his breath, a bit frightened of this angry Optimus.

“Well, Sari called me a baby so-” Bumblebee was once again cut off by a hiss from Optimus.

“So you came all the way here just to prove something of yourself, not for Wasp, whose life is on the line here?” shouted Optimus. “ J-Just what is wrong with you? When are you going to grow up and stop acting like a child and see that Wasp is another bot like me and you!”

This was a stab in the spark for Bumblebee since he felt like Optimus, somebody he respected and looked up to was infantilizing him, just like how Sari poked fun at being a baby.

“I am not a baby “ sniffed Bumblebee

“Then stop acting like one and take responsibility” hissed Optimus coldly.

The coldness from Optimus's voice sent Bumblebee into an angry dash as they ran away from the red prime, complaining about how this wasn't fair, leaving Bulkhead and Smokesceen’s jaw drop on the ground, baffled.

“Woah Optimus didn't you think that you went too far” asked Bulkhead “I mean Wasp was the one that bullied him and this Alchemist guy tricked him”

“That doesn't excuse what he did to him Bulkhead, it's red Energon..you don't exactly mess with that stuff “muttered Optimus “ and I am going to make sure that Wasp gets the justice that he deserves, now come on let go ”

“But what about Bumblebee ” protested Bulkhead.

“He can think things over, for now, just go,” shooted back Optimus silencing Bulkhead in shock.k

Optimus walked through the hallway of fortress Maximus aimless with the angriest look on his faceplates while Bulkhead and Smokescreen looked at each other in concern.

During the the walk, they bumped into Sentinel with his arms crossed at Optimus clearly not happy about his little outburst.

“Optimus, what the scrap was that back there? You can't just shout in the middle of a trial like that,” yelped Sentinel, throwing his servo in the air. “And wasp, I can't believe him; he’s been hiding red Energon the whole time!“

“It's bumblebee's fault, Sentinel ” sighed Optimus “he’s the one that spiked Wasp’s drink with Alchemist pulling the strings”

“WHAT!” hissed Sentinel with his servos up “ARE YOU SAYING THAT ONE OF YOUR CREW POISONED WASP AND THAT THE PROSECUTOR IS BEHIND IT“ Sentinel wasn't done with brought riled up by this as he continued his rant “ DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW ILLEGAL THAT IS OPTIMUS, I THOUGHT YOU PROMISE THAT HE WON'T CAUSE ANY TROUBLE “

“I know Sentinel, but I didn't know he would do this, and..I.. I’ll make sure that they both face the consequences for this, “spoke Optimus coldly.

Sentinel was a bit surprised by Optimus’s cold demeanor, he was used to Optimus occasionally getting frustrated yet this was something else completely however he couldn't but agree with him even if it felt strange doing so after the last time Optimus talked about his team he describes them being what the aerial bot was like towards Sentinel so the blue prime at expected for Optimus to be a little defensive of Bumblebee.

“i-oh well huh, I guess that we can agree on, but you better not break any more promises, got it?” uttered Sentinel, off guard that for once, he and Optimus had the same mindset but tried to pass it off as a huff while Bulkhead and Smokescreen glanced at each other in nervousness.

“I got it, Sentinel, now let's go and confront this Alchemist“ Optimus ushered Sentinel, Smokescreen and Bulkhead over to find the corrupt lawyer.

During this seemingly endless walk, Smokescreen and Bulkhead began speaking to each other about Optimus’s sudden cold behavior toward Bumblebee. They understood his rage, but it was strange seeing him not go after to comfort Bumblebee

“Is he always like this?” whispered Smokesceen towards Bulkhead.

“no..not really..well except for the time that he threw an ax into Sentinel's face, “ gulped Bulkhead.

“Woah, what?!” nearly yelp Smokesceen yet managed to keep it in a whisper.” he did that to the subcommander?”

“Oh, don't worry. I think they make things up, so everything is okay...I think..“ gulped Bulkhead “everything will be ok, Right? “

“Well on the bright side at least we know the procuration been playing dirty “ sighed Smokesceen putting on a dilgelt on his chin to think about the chances of them winning this case “Yet on the other servo we had no evidence of this aside from Bumblebee’s word and that doesn't excuse the fact that Wasp himself publicly admit to doing red Energon in the past so there a lot of at play here “

Smokescreen keeps discussing the possible outcome of the trial with Bulkhead when the giant green mech begins to worry as most of them seem to have a terrible outcome with the lawyer talking about every worst punishment that Bumblebee and Wasp could face.

“Are you sure there isn't a good ending to this” whimpered Bulkhead.

“Best case scenario, we get a confession out of Alchemist but Bumblebee still could get a forty hundred cycles sentence for potential poisoning and Wasp has to face heavy changes for the previous holding of red energon that could easily sink him into debt” stated Smokesceen sadly “red Energon is no laughing matter”

“Ah man can we at least try to bail Bumblebee out” asked Bulkhead not wanting a fate for his buddy “You know what I will get five extra jobs to help both of them out”

‘I- woah you're willing to do that for them?” asked Smokesceen touched by Bulkhead's kindness

“Of course Bumblebee is my best friend I'll do anything for him and Wasp..will he may you know was a bit of meanie in the past but doesn't you know he doesn't deserve this either “ uttered Bulkhead

“you know That's pretty noble of you “ smiled Smokescreen

“Ah shucks thanks,” thanked Bulkhead, rubbing the back of his helm.

Soon the four mech found Alchemist sitting at a corner bar laughing and sharing oils with a few members of the council until Optimus slammed his servo into the table.

“We know what you did you did Alchemist, bumblebee told us everything “ announced Optimus “And I don't appreciate you going around poisoning others, especially Wasp”

The few council members that were with Alchemist gasped at this whispering to each other while Alchemist himself remained calm and unmoving.

“That very bold excursion for you to claim Optimus, however, may I ask..do you have any evidence to support this claim?” calmly spoke Alchemist.

“Well, not exactly, but- huh?” Optimus cut himself off, realizing that he didn't exactly think this through, while Sentinel began to raise his eyebrows in skepticism.

“But what? Did you expect word of mouth to hold much weight in a council no of trial? “ questioned Alchemist “Your claims of my corruption are as weak as newborn sparkling, I suggest you do better Hero Boy “

Sentinel didn't exactly like seeing somebody else aside from himself insulting Optimus especially since that red prime did help him out from a dark mindset

“Hey, you are the one who is apparently fragging and giving out red energon like ..Like it some kind of red enegon party!” Huffed Sentinel crossing his arms.

“And yet both of so far have failed to prove that” pointed out Alchemist “So far you have been doing nothing other than accusing me of a crime with no evidence, is that really fair”

“Ugh, I hate to say this, but he kinda got a point, “ grumped Sentinel.

“What Sentinel but he-you I told you what happened “ protested Optimus

“I know I know! But without any, you know, actual proof, we can't do scrap against him,” grumped Sentinel.

“I- is this true Smokescreen?” Asked Optimus

“Unfortunately, yes, sir, “ signed Smokescreen.

Before Optimus could think of a response the intercom above them began speaking with Ultra Magnus’s voice coming out of it

“you all have two minutes left before the recess is over “ announced the Mangus. “I recommend you all come early”

“Now, if you don't mind me, I got a trial to win, unlike your little defense team, “ smirked Alchemist, getting up from his seat and disappearing into a hallway, leaving Optimus flabbergasted and a little angry, Sentinel grumbling, Bulkhead and Smokescreen worried.

“Smokescreen, he’s not going to win, right?” gurgled Optimus nervously.

“To be honest, Optimus, unless a miracle happened… there's not much we could do..now” gurgled Smokescreen.

“Scrap, “ muttered Optimus, never feeling this stuck before; after all, usually there's always a way out of situations like this, yet with no evidence or confession, it was seen that Optimus finally found himself back against a wall and for the first time he genuinely didn't know what to do

________________________________________

Inside of Preceptor’s Laboratory, Ratchet held Wasp servo as he lay down on the exam table calming him down with his words while Preceptor prepared the syringe

“Don't worry, it's just going to be a little sting,” comforted Ratchet.

Wasp gurgled as Preceptor approached him with a cold look in his optics before putting the syringe in his arm and sucking up a bit of blood, making Wasp twitch a bit. However, Ratchet soothes him while the Preceptor takes the blood sample and brings it over to a machine.

This machine black was shaped like a square; there was a hole in the top of it, and it had a thermometer in the middle of it that had an arrow that was in the middle of it that was pointing in the white middle between red and green.

Preceptor dropped the blood sample into the hole of the machine and as soon as he did the arrow of the thermometer went crazy going back-forth until it strike red making Ratchet and Wasp’s optics widened in horror.

“it’s positive,” announced Perceptor, sending shivers down Wasp and Ratchet’s spine.

Never before have something seemed so hopeless yet Ratchet still wanted to keep fighting for Wasp even if it seemed like there was no way out of this hole of swirling darkness and corruption within this council case.

Winged Sentinel au 

Act 2: Snippet 7: Apologize 

Warning: Squeal to a fanfic 

Optimus entered the base, where he found his team, including Blurr, attending to Wasp on the couch with the exception of Bumblebee and Prowl.

As soon as Optimus stepped inside, Ratchet and Bulkhead approached him. They both looked up at Red Prime with their optics filled with wariness.

“did you find them” Asked Ratchet in concern as he placed a servo on Optimus's shoulder 

“Yes and they work things out-wait where are Bumblebee and Prowl?“ asked Optimus  

“oh jumped out of a window as soon as he saw Wasp “ uttered Bulkhead  “and Prowl went after him “

Optimus pincher his nonexistent nose and shook his head in annoyance at this: why can anything ever be simple

“Ugh of course he did, why wouldn't he”  sighed Optimus “Looked Sentinel is coming  soon to huh talk to Wasp about what happened “

Wasp immediately screamed and climbed on top of the fridge when he heard that Sentinel was coming.

“Wasp don't want to talk to blue meanie!, Wasp doesn't want to get hurt again, “ cried Wasp. “

“Wasp it's ok, I talked to Sentinel he’s not going hurt you I promise “ reassured Optimus  “he just wanted to talk that all I swear”

Wasp glared down at Optimus with distrust; however, Ratchet approached him and placed a comforting servo on Wasp’s servo, slowly calming the green bot down.

“Shh hey kid along if I am here I make sure that he doesn't touch you, got it” reassured Ratchet with a calming presence “You’re safe “

“Red medic promise?” whimpered Wasp.

“Yes, I promise, now get down from the fridge,” reassured Ratchet.

Wasp reluctantly agrees getting down from the fridge with Ratchet helping him softly get on the ground. 

The only thing left for them to do now was to sit and wait for Sentinel to arrive at the base. 

During the seemingly long wait that went on for nearly an hour, Sari began speaking to Blurr In a little conversation. 

“So you really can't run anymore, “ asked Sari softly.

“I- no “ muttered Blurr clutching his chest plate and looking ashamed 

“Don't worry, I can fix that!” smiled Sari, pulling out her key.

“A key?” questioned  Blurr narrowing his optics 

"Not just any key, Blurr, all spark gives it to her; it can fix everything, “explained Optimus. “I’m sure it can help you”

All spark created a key; Blurr wouldn't usually believe something like this; however, after everything that he had seen, he decided that it might be worth a shot.

“You know what sure why not” sighed Blurr wondering how much weirder this day became.

 Sari climbed onto his leg and put the key into his chest plate. From there, a blue light glow swirled around his body only to turn red and knock Sari away with the key widening everyone’s optics in shock. 

“Sari!” yelped Bulkhead gently, catching her before she hit the ground.

“Ugh, thank Bulkhead,” groaned Sari.

Bulkhead says, “You’re welcome,” towards Sari while everyone turns over to Blurr, trying to figure out what just happened.

“I’m guessing not normal, right?” assumed Blurr.

“i- It has never done this before, try running“ gulped Ratchet. 

Blurr nodded before getting up on his feet to try running yet unfortunately, his speed was slower than it was before making his optics widen in dread.

‘“I- It's even worse now..” choked Blurr falling on his knees in defeated 

Optimus and the crew looked at Blurr in sympathy, placing their servos on his shoulder in comfort.

“I'm sorry Blurr, I just don't understand why I didn't work” apologized Sari, feeling terrible “It always works 

“huh I guess I'm t-truly stuck like this.. forever ” stuttered Blurr feeling his spark getting stabbed through since he did have a little bit of  hope that it might work only to have it be shot down 

“We will find another cure for you, Blurr, I promise. “ Comforted Optimus 

Blurr was simply too stunned to respond to Optimus, preferring to stare at the floor as try progress the fact that a project all spark refused to heal him, which felt like another punch in the gut.

Suddenly Sentinel finally entered the base with Jetfire and Jetstorm by his side. For a moment, there was tension in the air as Wasp and Sentinel glared at each other. Wasp's optics filled with fear while Sentinel's optics tried to remain firm, although there was some underlying uncertainty there as he approached Wasp slowly.

Sentinel reached into his glove compartment, making Wasp immediately hide behind Ratchet, who gave Sentinel a disapproving glare alongside Optimus.

“Those better not be static cuffs in there boy” scolded Ratchet. 

“What, no, there are just forms, you old co-.” Sentinel was cut off by Jetstorm, and Jetfire glared at him, making him quickly reroute his sentence to something else as he took out the forms from his glove compartment to show that he wasn't going to cuff him.

“Huh, I mean you old coolo medic,” gulped Sentinel, trying to salvage the situation awkwardly. Although the twins didn't look convinced, neither did Ratchet, Optimus, or Wasp.

“forms? Sentinel, I ask you to apologize to him not make him sign paperwork” groaned Optimus 

“Yeah yeah I know it's just that I need him to sign this so  any charges against him can be dropped along with his arrest “ sighed Sentinel 

“Arrest?, Sentinel you were the one the one that threatened him” reminded Optimus narrowing his optics. 

When Optimus pointed out that Sentinel threatened Wasp, Sentinel once again felt his words spinning around as he began having visions once again with the offline Wasp replaced by a corpse, making him panic and back away as he grabbed his own faceplate.

This wasn't the only vision, Another vision this time of Ultra Magnus appeared behind Sentinel whispering to him to keep following protocol otherwise there would be consequences making  Sentinel inhale sharply before trying to shake out of it snapping back to reality. 

“W-will stop reminding me!” shouted Sentinel in a mix of anger and guilt making Jetfire and Jetstorm back away a bit along with Wasp “Look just let Wasp read and sign these fragging forms, it will explain everything “

“wait a minute Sentinel what exactly are in these forms”  asked Optimus suddenly taking the forms away from Sentinel to read them 

Sentinel attempted to grab the forms from Optimus, yet the red prime kept dodging him and using his hand to block Sentinel's face, which Sentinel didn't like at all as he began growling “Why you “ at the red prime, but  Optimus just ignored it and read the forms while Jetfire and Jetstorm are looking at each in worried. 

“HEY GIVE THOSE BACK, THOSE AREN'T FOR YOU TO READ!” shouted Sentinel trying to take the forms back Optimus 

In the forms it simply says this:

Under Elite Guard’s vow, the charges and arrest against the offender would be dropped with the retrial progressing as normally with static cuffs involved, and any  assaults I made against the offender in question as leader of the Aerialbots and subcommander of the Autobot sincerely apologize for by the signing of this document - Sentinel Prime ™.

Optimus couldn't believe this: did Sentinel seriously put his apology in a form? This got this to be the weirdest and dumbest thing that Optimus had ever seen his old academy buddy do considering he had seen him apologize to Jetfire and Jetstorm so what was the deal?

“Sentinel, did you seriously put your apology in a form?” Groaned Optimus 

“What I thought this might have killed two cons with one stone “ huffed Sentinel defensively 

“S-Sentinel what is the frag wrong with you!’ snapped Optimus catching  everyone off guard “You can apologize to Jetfire and Jetstorm perfectly just fine  but apparently you can't apologize to Wasp to save your own  aft!”’

“W-well That different-” Sentinel tried to defend him but Optimus cut him off

“How so? Because as far as I can see you are  hurting both of them and you're hurting me-” Optimus quickly covered his mouth when he accidentally mentioned himself “I mean huh Wasp..”

“Wait so this is personal after all!!” suspicioned  Sentinel  

“I-UGH! I NEVER WANTED THIS TO BE PERSONAL SENTINEL BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY AND BLAME ME FOR EVERYTHING “ shouted Optimus  “DON'T YOU THINK I MISS HER TO?!”

This stunned Sentinel into silence and shock: he never knew that Optimus missed Elita too and this realization hit him like a truck but before he could say anything Optimus dashed out of the base in frustration leaving Sentinel’s world flip upside down while everyone else glance in confusion and concerns 

“Op-Optimus wait!” Yelped Sentinel quickly put the forms away and went after Optimus.

Sentinel kept running until he found Optimus inside of the alleyway sitting against a trash can with his sevros against his faceplate.

Sentinel looked at Optimus with hesitation before sitting next to him awkwardly and with barely anything to say other than that he didn't know. 

“I- didn't I-I never knew that you miss her”. Gulped Sentinel putting his arms around his legs.

“Of course I did, she was my friend too but I guess you never thought of that, did you?” whispered Optimus bitterly. “I never meant to leave her behind, you know sometimes I wish If I could I would save both of you... somehow “

That was true, Sentinel was so angry at Optimus about leaving Elita behind that he never thought about how the red prime felt about the situation at all.

“I-I missed her too, her laugh, her jokes, and her smile “ whimpered Sentinel grieving Elita

“Her dance moves and her dares,” added Optimus, grieving her too.

“ha yeah, She.. always somehow knows to make a room brighter “ grieved Sentinel.

“Yes, she did “ sighed Optimus “I just wanted to know..why you blame me for all of it.. I thought we were friends... I thought you at least cared a little to at least see that I was suffering too”

“i-I we were friends..I..at one point I did like you ... it's just that I didn't want to think that I really lost her..she was everything to me and now she's gone because of..a stupid fragging idea..“ choked Sentinel “but I guess she was everything to you and I didn't realize until it was far too late...I guess we both lost something that day”

Sentinel sighed before leaning his helm against Optimus’s shoulder which caught Optimus off guard yet he slowly accepted.

“I’m…sorry for leaving her behind” sighed Optimus. “And for the whole..ax thing,”

“I’m sorry too..for everything too...I guess I really did become your... Alpha Trion “ signed Sentinel “You know the big bad villain that gets in your way.

“Sentinel for the last time you’re not evil, an evil bot wouldn't exactly apologize for what they have done “muttered Optimus not believing that Sentinel was still on that whole evil thing “You can still make amends with Wasp, just apologize like you just did with me and the twins, no forms”

“You know he still has to sign these forms since assault is still assault “ sighed Sentinel.

“But huh I will apologize first if that's anything” sighed Sentinel  "But don't expect him to forgive me like we are in some kind of magical wonderland, got it? “

“Sentinel-” Optimus was about to groan in annoyance believing his academy buddy learned nothing until Sentinel cut him off.

Optimus couldn't help but shake his helm a little bit at the mention of a magical wonderland sometimes he doesn't understand what going through Sentinel's hard drive at all

“I-huh got it” sighed Optimus with a little laugh, never really understanding what Sentinel meant by that but could see that he was at least trying.

“Good Now let's get out here, this place gives me the creeps” exhaled Sentinel getting back on his feet and heading back to base.

This talk about Elite One makes Optimus wonder if he should tell Sentinel about Blackarahina yet remembering the destruction that Sentinel caused in Steelhaven, he decided that Sentinel had already been through enough so Optimus I shifted his attention back to the retrial since there were a few things that he worried about.

“Hey Sentinel about this retrial, I wonder if you could tell me more about it  ” questioned Optimus.

“Well what you expected with any other  trial, the defense team  have to convince the council and Elite Guard that guy is innocent while the procuration team try to throw him in the slammer you know that kind of thing “ explained  Sentinel 

“Is there any way you could put us on Wasp's defense team?” asked Optimus.

“Well Optimus I never knew you were the type to ask me to pull stings,” uttered Sentinel, a bit surprised.

“Wh-what I am not asking you to pull any strings I just want me and my team to help Wasp in any way possible, ok” stuttered Optimus defensively.

“Right because me as the sub commander of the Autobots putting a maintenance crew with no experience in law on the defense team is definitely not pulling any strings “ spoked Sentinel sarcastically with an optics roll.

“I- ugh look is there any way for us to help without any slings being pulled “ asked Optimus.

“huh well You and little crew could be on the jury but that's pretty much it” suggested Sentinel. 

“huh..Right, so who exactly is on Wasp's defense team, and who is against him? “ asked  Optimus.

“some bot called Smokescreen is the lead of his defense team  while another not called Huh Alchemist is against him, claims to be the best in the business but I doubt we have anything to worry about as long  as Wasp sign these forms “ explained Sentinel a bit  confidently “so he won't be held for another crime.... just the whole you know spy mix up”

“Huh, are you certain?” questioned Optimus, still a bit concern 

“Hey what are the chances that he did something else illegal so this retrial should be smooth sailing “  uttered  Sentinel thinking this was going to be the easiest part.

Optimus was still uneasy at this since he had a bad feeling in the spark that this wasn't as easy as Sentinel said that it was going to be especially since he didn't exactly like the idea of not being on Wasp's defense team yet jury is really the only option without looking shady. 

So the two prime once again entered base where they saw Blurr and Ratchet sitting down at a table playing cards on the floor with Wasp who immediately turned stiff at the sight of seeing Sentinel again while Blurr and everyone else looked on awkwardly.

“We're back, this time Sentinel wanted to talk to Wasp properly” announced  Optimus. 

“Huh right I leave you guys to it “ uttered Blurr awkwardly  getting up from the ground to make room for Sentinel to sit 

Wasp whimpered a bit in fear as Sentinel approached toward Wasp however Ratchet calmly placed a servo on Wasp's shoulder calming him down. 

“I won't let him do anything, kid “ reassured Ratchet standing as Wasp's bodyguard while comforting him. 

Sentinel took a deep breath and sat down across from Wasp at the table putting the forms onto the table. There was an awkward silence that you could hear a pin drop from here as the two states at each other in unease.

Wasp started at Sentinel's faceplate with suspicion before picking up the forms to read them with narrow optics before placing them back down on the table still glaring at the blue prime.

“Huh Wasp look I'm huh.. s-sorry about what happened “ gulped Sentinel acting like he was dying but the apology was genuine “Look I don't expect you to forgive me like we are in lolly land but just sign these forms so we continue this retrial and afterwards we don't have to see other faceplates ever again, got it .”

“How hold on what did you just call me “ glared Sentinel at Wasp scarring the Green bot when he slammed his servo onto the table and making everyone glare at Sentinel, especially Jetfire and Jetstorm who looked on in uneasy while Ratchet took a protective stand in front of Wasp.

“Wasp don't forgive Big Blue meanie but Wasp will agree to go to retrial as long as Bumblebee isn't around “ growled Wasp picking up a nearby pen.

Sentinel immediately backs off when sees the disapproval from Jetfire and Jetstorm which once again makes him see visions of the corpse Wasp making him panic so he to a sharp inhale to try to regain his composure.

“i-I mean just go ahead and sign and take your time” gurgled Sentinel trying to reroute his sentence to be less hostile “And huh this Bumblebee won't be anywhere near your trial”

Wasp narrowed his optics at Sentinel, growling at him a bit before signing all the forms. When Wasp was finally done signing the form he nervously handed it back over to Sentinel who quickly placed them back in the glove compartment before getting up ready to go back to Cybertron.

“Good now with that all settled, we can finally go back to Cybertron” uttered Sentinel, ushering the Elite Guard and everyone else to follow him to Steelhaven.

“Hold up Sentinel what about Bumblebee and Prowl they aren't back yet “ spoke up Optimus “And we can't just leave Sari here alone “

As soon as Optimus says that Prowl suddenly shows up covered in mud looking tired and that he's been through a complete nightmare, holding a struggling and yelling Bumblebee by the neck.

“Let me go! I have rights!” yelped Bumblebee trying to break free from Prowl’s hold while the cyber ninja looked like he was nearly about to snap.

Wasp hissed and glared at Bumblebee with intense hatred, feeling betrayed by Sentinel's lie about not being near his trial.

“Didn't blue mech say Bumblebee won't be anywhere near Wasp’s trial” hissed Wasp ready to activate his blaster.

“Wh- how was I supposed to know that he was going up now!?” growled Sentinel in annoyance “Ugh you know what, here's an idea Bumblebee here can stay with the tiny human while the rest of us can go to Cybertron to get this trial start, got it”

Wasp liked the idea of not seeing Bumblebee again and fully supported the plan, while Optimus was opposed to it. To him, it felt like Bumblebee was avoiding responsibility again, and he didn't like the thought of Bumblebee being on Earth by himself.

“Sentinel, we can't just leave Bumblebee behind, He needs to take responsibility for what he has done” protested Optimus. “He has to come with us...He can wait outside the trial and apologize afterward, Sounds good?”

“NO, I DON'T WANT TO GO!” whined Bumblebee. “I can just stay and hang out with Sari at base, like Sentinel said.”

“And Wasp doesn't want Bumblebee to be anywhere near Wasp’s trial!” agreed Wasp.

“For frag's sake, Optimus, just let him stay on that stupid organic rock! He can make his little amends with Wasp later" groaned Sentinel. "What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Look, Sentinel, I really don’t like the idea of Bumblebee being on Earth... alone with Sari...They tend to get into trouble,” sighed Optimus.

“All right then, the Cyber Ninja can stay to keep an eye on them,” suggested Sentinel. “There! Problem solved!”

“Yes, good idea! We'll go with that!” gulped Bumblebee.

“Ugh Primus not again..” groaned Prowl annoyed that was about to babysit Bumblebee again “but I suppose it's for the best”

Optimus glares between Wasp, Bumblebee, Sari, Sentinel, and Prowl before letting out a reluctant sigh.

“Fine” groaned Optimus, feeling like he was about to have a headache at this.

“Right now let's get out of here” huffed Sentinel walking out the base ushering everyone out with the expectation of Bumblebee and Prowl.

With that Bumblebee was finally put down by Prowl while Optimus and the rest crew said their goodbyes to Sari with Bulkhead promising to come back and give her gift from Cybertion when he came back. 

While walking out of the base Ratchet decided to talk to Jetfire and Jetstorm knowing that he was out of line with them earlier.

“Eh hey Jetfire and Jetstorm right” asked Ratchet “Eh I'm sorry about all that talk earlier”

“Look I don't forgive you but.. thanks.. for the apology anyway” sighed Jetfire with Jetstorm nodding along. 

Ratchet felt bad but he knew that it was fair considering how he acted earlier so he sighed before transforming into his vehicle once he was out of the base. 

After getting done talking to Ratchet, Jetfire and Jetstorm turn their attention to Sentinel Prime to have a talk him.

“Sentinel.. thank you for keeping my promise ” sighed Jetstorm “but… you almost scared me..and Jetfire back there ..I don't want you to do that again toward him ok”

“I-i huh not sure if I can.. exactly do that... Jetstorm…”  stuttered Sentinel knowing fully that would take an act of Primus to calm him down. 

“Please..at least try” exhaled Jetstorm. 

Soon everyone was on their way toward Steelhaven except for Optimus he couldn't stand the sight of Bumblebee dancing and celebrating avoiding responsibility so he backtracked to glare at Bumblebee. 

“Frag yeah staying on earth with Prowl and Sari! Best day ever!” celebrated Bumblebee with finger guns.

“Well, I hope you're happy Bumblebee because somehow the less responsible bot I ever know” muttered Optimus clearly pissed off. “One day guilt is going to eat you from the inside out” 

“Nuh huh I'm the  responsible bot I know “ declined Bumblebee “Right guys”

Sari, Prowl, and Optimus didn't respond to that at all leaving nothing other than silence to fill the air as Optimus leaves without another word leaving Bumblebee befuddled.

“What I am totally responsible!” yelp Bumblebee angrily.

“Yeah as responsible as a baby “shot down Sari with an eye roll while Prowl sniffed back a laugh 

Bumblebee really didn't like being called a baby so he decided that was going to try to prove Sari wrong with the worst idea that ever came up in his helm.

“Hey I’m not a baby and I can prove it! “ yelped Bumblebee waving his arms in frustration.

Bumblebee without any warning began dashing over to the exit of the base but Prowl blocked him with Sari.

“Just where do you think you're going?” asked Prowl with crossed arms looking at Bumblebee with a glare.

“Yeah Didn't you want to stay in base? “ added Sari copying Prowl by crossing her arms too.

Bumblebee groaned in annoyance knowing that Sari and Prowl wouldn't leave until he explained himself so he had to direct them somehow. He spotted a nest filled with eggs on a ledge getting him a idea. 

“Prowl look out that nest is about to fall” yelped Bumblebee shooting the side of the ledge causing the nest to fall off immediately

Prowl gasped and reacted quickly doing a backflip to save the nest from falling while Bumblebee made his escape with Sari trying to jump on him to stop him from leaving yet he was way too fast for her to catch up with as transformed into his vehicle and drive away disappearing into the distance.

“Ugh, can you believe him!” groaned Sari in annoyance.

Sari jumped on top of Prowl and two zoomed out of base in search for Bumblebee across the street of Detroit. 

“Come on we can still catch up with him” uttered Prowl putting the nest in a safe spot on a table before transforming into his vehicle mode.

They keeping searching for him until they spotted him jumping inside Steelhaven and quickly entering a vent when the doors shut and the ship flew off into the sky before Prowl and Sari could properly catch up with him.

“Oh great He’s gone,” huffed Sari, annoyed.

“This isn't over yet” uttered Prowl pressing his servo against his aduail ready to call Optimus only for it to glitch out due to the mud “I-i the connection seems to be slash”

“Well, frag” cussed Sari with crossed arms not believing her best friend would ditch her like that without even telling her what he was planning. “And to think I was about to make him another friendship bracelet”

Prowl comforted  Sari before taking her back to base where they tried other ways to sent messages towards the team hoping at least one them make it though since who knows what Bumblebee could be up to on that ship

_________________________________________

Steelhaven landed on a landing deck where Sentinel ushered everyone out including Bebop who was holding a jar of rain that he collected from Earth and Jazz spent a full minute to convince Sentinel that it wasn't dangerous. 

Once they step onto the surface of Iacon Optimus,  Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Wasp look on in astonishment at the changes that it has been through with seekers Autobots flying all over the place helping grounded bots meanwhile Blurr and Jazz deal with the Decepticon prisoners by letting a few guards take them to prison. 

“Woah it's almost like a dream” grasped Bulkhead looking around in wonder at the site as Sentinel showed off everything like a trophy.

“Welcome all the new and improved Cybertron that one and only Aerialbots help to build from the ground up” announced Sentinel can't help but brag about how great his unit the Aerialbots is.

Sentinel showed everyone the new charging around Cybertron while walking them towards Fortress Maximus when suddenly Sliverbolt came down from the sky bolting towards the blue prime in a panic however Sentinel was far too excited to show off the changes that he made to notice the fear in Sliverblot’s optics. 

“And here one of the members of the greatest unit in Cybertron right now “ bragged Sentinel putting his arms around the panicked Sliverbolt.

“Sir Punkrock and First Rate have gone missing! yelped Silverbolt in panic. "We sent a search party after them, but so far we haven't found anything!”

Bebop immediately dropped the jar of rain on the ground in horror hearing that his sibling was missing while Sentinel's proud face twisted into frustration. 

“My.. brother is missing” whimpered Bebop in pure fear while Jazz put a comforting servo on his shoulder. 

“WHAT! WELL KEEP LOOKING FOR THEM, THAT A ORDER “ shouted Sentinel. “AND I’M COMING WITH SO NOBODY ELSE GO MISSING “

“Yes, Sir” salutes Sliverbolt ready to go back into action

Sentinel was about to get ready to transform and soar out in the sky with Sliverbolt until Ultra Magnus appeared in front of them with a crossed face.

“I don't think so Sentinel, you’re not going anywhere until this trial is over with “ huffed Ultra Magnus. “As a reminder everyone in the elite guard must be present for the pre-trial preparation alongside the council”

“But Sir, my unit!” Protested Sentinel in frustration.

“I'm sure they will do just fine without your presence, now go to quarters with the rest of the Elie guard in Fortress Maximus and get ready, that's an order “ dismissed Ultra Magnus. “Unless you want to cancel this trial “

“But-” Sentinel was cut off by Ultra Magnus repeating “That's an order” but slightly louder this time. 

Sentinel gave Ultra Magnus a glare huffing a reluctantly “fine” before turning over to Silverbolt to order him and Bebop to keep looking for two missing Aerialbots with the rest of the unit which they agree to

Afterward, Sentinel along with the rest of the Elite Guard left toward their quarters to get ready for the upcoming trial leaving the rest of the Autobots feeling an uneasy tension in the air.

_______________________________________

Bumblebee rolled out the vents of Steelhaven onto the landing deck with a determined look on his faceplate.

“Responsibility city here I come “ puffed Bumblebee with pride “Wasp get ready for the best apology of a lifetime “

The mention of Wasp caught the attention of an old Silver and Golden mech who approached Bumblebee with interest as he slightly pulled Bumblebee into an area of iacon where nobody could see them.

“I’m sorry did you say Wasp, how do you know that name? “ asked the older mech towards Bumblebee

“Oh well-he used..he used to bully me” gulped Bumblebee suddenly less confident now.

“And you really want to say sorry to somebody who bullied you when you were the victim “ questioned the old mech. 

“You know what you're right! Why would I be the one to say sorry he was the one who cut my legs off! “ Huffed Bumblebee” I can't believe I came all the way here for nothing “

“Perhaps your visit isn't all in vain my friend, this could be your chance to finally stand up to him, all you need to do is put this in his drink“ suggested the older mech putting out a small piece of red Energon.

Bumblebee widened his optics in bewilderment at the red energon; he had no idea what this was at all and what it could do.

“Huh is that enegon?” asked Bumblebee 

“Not just any enegon, Red enegon..perfect for pranks..put this in his oil during the pre-trial preparation and you will never feel helpless ever again “ suggested the older mech “But make sure that nobody sees you with it ”

“Oh I get the perfect prank that needs to be unseen, I am in!” Bumblebee eagerly took the red energon “Thanks huh..what was your name?”

“Please call me Alchemist my friend and if you don't mind I have some business to attend to “ smiled Alchemist before disappearing into a nearby dim alleyway.

Bumblebee blinked a few times to make sure that he wasn't seeing anything since for a second he thought he saw Alpha Trion and Ironhide inside of an alleyway that Alchemist disappeared into only to find that the old mech and his former second bully weren't there in all the second time he looked properly

This was something strange going around here however Bumblebee couldn't see that since as far as he knew he was going to pull the ultimate prank of a lifetime not knowing the consequences ahead.

[jegulily-stuff]

Little ficlet for you all. Sirius getting blindsided by his friends' interest in his sulky little brother.

....

Sirius kicks the stand of his bike down and swings his leg over the saddle. His boots crunch on the driveway as he dismounts.

Everything's still damp although the morning's rain has passed. He takes off his helmet and shakes his hair out.

Reg is sat in the sidecar with the luggage. It makes him look like a small child in a pram, swamped by the car and his helmet. Sirius has to smirk. His brother hasn't once managed to make travelling by motorbike look cool.

When Reg takes off his helmet, he goes immediately to one of the wingmirrors to fix his hair, and thats just case in point really. You're supposed to have messy hair after biking - being neurotic about it is uncool.

Sirius pulls off messy hair.

He's hot. People stare at him in the street when he gets off his bike, and really all the rest of the time as well.

Reg doesn't have that - the glamour - the magnetism - the star quality, if you will. He just looks rumpled and unhappy about it.

His hair isn't getting tidier as he fusses. It's damp and frizzy and the curls are kinked up awkwardly at one side. The mirror's really a pointless quest. Sirius pulls him away from it, throwing Reg's bag over one shoulder, and walks up to the house.

He rings the doorbell.

Reg stops a little behind him and sets to smoothing out the creases in his jumper. Sirius rolls his eyes. Who is this for? He's not going out anywhere.

He hears the clicking of a lock then Lily opens the front door.

There's a knife in one of her hands, but it looks pretty blunt so Sirius doesn't pay it much attention. He slides Reg' bag through the door.

"I'm giving you my brother."

Lily raises her eyebrows. "To keep?"

"Until next week," He says. "I'm going on holiday."

"You are?" It's not often she and James don't know his plans.

Sirius grins. "Have I ever told you, I've always wanted to take a trip through France, go to all the fanciest towns and try all the fanciest wines? Well this afternoon I realised the only person stopping me was me, so I'm just going to go. I've not done anything that poncey in ages - it's about time."

Lily shrugs. "Carpe diem. Though I'm picturing it'll just be you and a bunch of rich middle aged couples."

"Yeah, I'm going to sabotage some failing marriages for extra entertainment."

"It might not always problems you cause flirting with married couples, so watch out." She says. Then she looks past him and smiles, "Hi, Reg."

Reg raises a hand in a little wave.

"Well, I'll be causing discord only." Sirius says, "I'm not having a threeway with the kind of people who go wine tasting on holiday."

"No, of course not." She nods towards Reg. "So this means he's with us..?"

"Yeah, you know how it is, he needs someone to watch over him, give him water, get him out in the sun, make sure he doesn't die."

"I'm not a houseplant." Reg grouses.

Sirius snorts. "No, houseplants are much more self sufficient."

His three cacti are still at home - they can be trusted to take care of themselves for a few days.

James comes into the hall behind Lily. His face lights up when he sees Sirius.

"Hi, mate." He says. "What's up?"

His trousers are spattered with what looks like half a pint of paint. Forest green.

Sirius gives him a grin.

"You didn't come back," James explains as Lily gives a pointed look to his legs, "I tried to open the tin without the knife... there's no mess - or rather, only on me."

She snorts.

"Hi, Reg." He adds and gets a wave too.

"I'm sure we'll both look worse by the time we're done." Lily says. "Now, Sirius is here to give us a gift."

"A responsibility." Sirius corrects, as James turns to him. He's unsure of how Regulus and gift are remotely connected concepts.

"I'm going on holiday - that wine tasting one you always turn me down for - so this one-" He jabs a thumb towards Reg, "Needs minding."

Reg doesn't bother protesting the statement this time.

"He wants to stay with us?" James asks brightly.

Sirius pauses.

He hadn't considered that in all honesty. Reg hadn't seemed upset when Sirius had told him that was what would happen, and given his propensity to seem unhappy for no reason at all, the lack of that must mean he was fine with the idea... right?

"I want him to stay with you." Sirius answers. "I can't leave him on his own, and who better to give him to than you? My most trusted friends, kind and caring and... stable and all those things we never had in our poor sad childhood, my favourite people in the world, et cetera." He pauses for breath. "Please will you take him?"

"Of course!" James says, "We'd love to have him. I promise you I'll take good care of him. I'm an excellent host."

Sirius grins. James is always happy to do him a favour. No one's ever had a better friend.

James beckons Reg in and he finally steps past Sirius and towards the door. He doesn't complain when James reaches out to tug him gently over the threshold.

Sirius knows James and Lily are planning on spending the next few days redecorating so he's not asking them to cancel anything to take Reg. Maybe Reg'll even help and Sirius will have done them a favour too. And of course he'll bring them back some good wine - that'll be better compensation.

Lily tugs on Reg's hair, teasing him for its sorry state when he usually keeps it so tidy. James valiantly tries to flatten it for him. Reg stand frozen between them and Sirius wants to laugh.

I bet he hates that.

"Oi, Reg." He says, "You'd better be good while you're here - behave and all - don't embarass me."

Reg turns to give him the withering look he was expecting.

"I'm always good." He says primly.

Lily wraps her arms round him from behind and tucks her chin over his shoulder.

"Mm, you're going to be a good boy for us?" She teases.

Reg's expression stays stony but Sirius can see the tips of his ears flushing red.

"Evans!" He complains, "Don't use that tone with him."

"You don't like it?" She asks, but the question's directed to Reg, not him. Rude.

"'S fine." Reg manages.

"Look at him," Sirius says accusatorially, "He's in distress."

"I'm not - I'm fine. Stop treating me like a child."

"See, that's what I was expecting you to say earlier, but you just let me bring you here to be minded."

Lily smiles widely. "Because you want to come spend some time with us?" Then she drops into that tone again, "Honestly, I think you're going to have much more fun getting in the middle of married couples here than Sirius is in France."

Reg has gone very red now.

Sirius, rather irked, turns to James for an intercession, but James isn't paying him any attention. His face has that stupid look. That infatuation that Sirius knows inexplicably reduces his IQ to zero. He's looking at Lily and Reg.

Sirius' eyes narrow. "Hang on."

James' eyes go wide. "I promise... good care of him... all completely appropriate."

He's never been a good liar.

Sirius wonders if whatever this is has been going on for some time without his notice, or if it's started this second.

He feels a great swell of indignation. "In my own house?" He demands. "Under my roof?"

They all frown.

"This definitely isn't your house." Lily says.

"It just felt like the right thing to say for some reason." He says. "What am I supposed to say?"

Lily shrugs. "Have fun?"

He doesn't dignify that with an answer.

There's a pause.

Reg watches him warily. He's starting to get that look that Sirius remembers from many a family dinner and quotidian household conversation - the look of someone who knows they're stood in the middle of a minefield and have to make sure they don't make a single misstep.

His hands hover over Lily's where she's hugging his waist, but he doesn't take hold of them. It might be that he's worrying about her, but its definitely mostly Sirius.

That's not what he wants.

"You promise that you'll take care of him until I get back?" He says lightly. "I meant what I said about water - he won't drink it unless you make him."

Regulus relaxes. He rolls his eyes.

"I think I need to get these trousers off." James says. Then his brain catches up to him. "In a entirely separate context to Reg being here! That's not what I meant!"

He raises his hands innocently.

"It's the paint." Lily says and Sirius waits for the punchline. "Can't walk around with paint on your clothes." She tilts her head. "You know, we're going to be doing a lot of painting..." There it is. "It could get quite messy."

Sirius glowers at her. His withering look is better than Regulus' when he tries.

Lily just laughs at him. She muffles it slightly in Reg's neck and he sinks into the contact. James throws an arm around her shoulders.

Sirius sighs heavily.

He picks up Reg's bag from the threshold and presses it into his hands. Then he grabs the ring of the door handle and closes it between them.

I did say I trusted them.

He walks away down the drive.

"Enjoy your trip!" James calls after him through the letterbox. "Have fun!"

Look after each other.

[leviiattacks]

Two Faced | Chapter Ten

↳ levi ackerman, the very person who was about to kindly behead you by a surprising turn of events manages to become your loving husband? you would be elated if this was true love, but it’s all thanks to a mysterious magic spell that your life is spared, for now at least.

pairing :: duke!levi x duchess!reader genre :: royal au ??? (at this point idek) angst, fluff, slice of life etc ?? word count :: 4k author note :: haha.... wowww it's been long since i last updated. honestly my physical and mental health have just been horrible... that's about it, i lost a lot of motivation but if you're still reading i am very thankful and i will try to deliver the story well. i tried my best but writing whilst sick is very tiresome :-) tags :: @patience-is-here​ , @chwlogy​ , @a--nonymousse​ , @imkumichan​ 

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Keeping yourself cooped up within Levi's estate and never daring to step a foot outside should have been what you had done. Blackmailing him to keep you confined within the walls of your bedroom would be much better compared to the problem you have to resolve now. Perhaps if you had done so you wouldn't have collided face first into this muddle.

Jean fiddles with the ends of his button up, he doesn't take the chance to glance up at any of his superiors. He's either much too embarrassed or has nothing noteworthy to start off with.

Erwin chooses to call the shots seeing as neither you or the Viscount by your side wish to begin.

"You both understand why we're here. Correct me if I'm wrong?" The Commander looks between you, Jean and your unfortunate excuse of a husband. Suddenly it looks as if the gears and cogs in Jean's brain move without warning.

Offering a demure nod you expect for him to follow in your footsteps and do the same only he stands there looking between you and Levi.

"Wait...The two of you are? A couple?" Stunned isn't the word, Jean's completely flabbergasted.

"If you figured that out this late, I do not understand why Erwin sees you remotely fit for my team." Levi's beyond insulted at the fact he's only just understood the situation.

Jean, now more intimidated than ever before straightens his back and coughs clumsily, "Sorry." He murmurs chestnut eyes making contact with the hardwood floors.

The Commander's laced hands sit atop his desk, elegant fingers moving similar to honey on a spoon. He sighs not out of fatigue but pride. Whatever plan he's come up with has to be decent at the very least, his body language is telling you that much.

"We have a number of possibilities we can choose from. We owe that pleasure to Mr Kirstein here." Erwin offers him an almost cynical smile, you can't help but gulp thinking about how this is essentially your fault. With all the constant training sessions and team building tasks it makes sense for Jean to have completely forgot about your unspoken rule. Solely blaming him is incorrect.

Raising your arm above your head to intervene you make it known that you're aware of Levi shooting you a look of warning by returning it. It's best he knows you don't care for anyone's opinion let alone his.

"Permission to speak Commander?"

Your request is agreed to immediately with the wave of  Erwin's hand.

"It's my fault for not reminding Jean. I'll take the blame, I hadn't even told him the full story concerning me and Levi."

Levi doesn't enjoy your defense in the slightest. "I don't expect my wife to fling herself at other men and allow for them to snoop around gathering the details of our personal lives."

Scoffing you shield yourself with your arms over your chest.

"Oh dear husband. If you want to get personal do tell me where my family is?" It's an inside joke only Levi will be able to understand.

"If you call those people family your standards are disgustingly low."

"Maybe that explains why I settled for you."

Again, other's opinions are not at the forefront of your priority list. Regardless it's quite enjoyable pushing Levi further into a corner with that sentence. You see the internal struggle play out within him. Jaw clenched, hands balled together. He doesn't have an appropriate response

Jean bursts out unable to hold it in any longer, chest trembling with every quake of laughter that ripples through him you have to shove him with your elbow. For a Viscount his etiquette sure is nonexistent.

"My word, the two of you sound like..."

Levi stares at him most probably expecting something along the lines of "An old married couple."

But, no. It's nothing anyone in the room expects. That includes you.

"It's as if you're unhappy with each other..."

Not a noise is made after that. Jean isn't mistaken, your heart is miserable. You've never had many relationships to begin with, whether it be familial, romantic or platonic and for someone such as your husband to treat you the way he does - it feels futile having to navigate around the complexities. Even if he isn't really your husband it's disappointing to reflect on your marriage so suddenly.

Feeling your face droop a little you bite your bottom lip with your teeth. Hearing the truth from someone you barely expect to hear it from has an effect on you.

You're so caught up analyzing everything it takes you a minute to even register Levi grumbling and lunging forward pilfering the collar of Jean's shirt.

"Every day you prove to be more and more pathetic than I expect." Levi turns to look at you after that. His stare bores into you but he doesn't come off threatening, you assume his last remark is directed solely at Jean.

When he turns back only glaring at Jean now with even more tenacity than before. He's ready to snap but Erwin has clearly had enough of the unwanted altercation in his office.

"Enough. The both of you. This is most bothersome." At the Commander's orders Levi is silenced although it takes all of his resolve to do so.

Finally bothering you take a good look at Jean. He's calm in an incredibly out of character way.

Is this not the man who trembled in his boots the first time he and Levi came into contact? It's almost as if he seems pleased with himself for drawing out such a reaction from his Captain.

Erwin shuffles through stacks of paperwork on his desk. The man needs an assistant at this point. You doubt you could find anything in that haphazard pile. Edges of crumpled paper poke out uncomfortably and Erwin becomes increasingly annoyed when he can't locate what it is he's looking for.

Just as you're about to ask if he requires any assistance it seems he's found what he's been looking for, that's if his eyes are any indication of the relief he feels.

"This." He holds up the paper, all eyes in the room are trained on it. "Under normal circumstances would not have to become an option."

"But these aren't normal circumstances?" Jean's thoughtless question is irksome when the answer is so obviously staring him down in the face.

Nonetheless Erwin nods incapable of losing his cool over something so minor.

"Sign to confirm to my proposition."

The document he places onto the desk isn't what you imagine, you can practically feel the dread climb up your throat once you're done scanning it. Jean's full name placed right next to yours in bold lettering has your stomach lurching. You don't have to read the rest to understand the new circumstances you've landed into.

To make matters worse Erwin places two rings down right in front of the both of you.

A pot of boiling hot water is what you've been thrown in.

Are you supposed to be some sort of replacement for potatoes? What's Jean in this scenario? Carrots?

"It is troublesome to have the two of you put on an act to be involved with one another but I see it as our safest option." Erwin notices your parted lips and slacked jaw. "You need not worry this isn't a marriage contract, you're simply acting."

There's no path out of this pot, you and Jean will simply have to deal with the prospect of being boiled alive.

Ah, you forgot to mention who would act as the hot water but you're sure the suspect is obvious.

Even right now Levi's fury radiates off of him, it's unclear if he was given the details of the Commander's plan beforehand but if his furrowed brow and pursed lips are indicators of the truth he must have had no idea.

Your suspicions are confirmed to be correct once Levi reaches forward plucking the paper away, it just so happens he's snatched it away the very moment Jean leans in to get a closer look at it.

"I was never informed of this."

Erwin gives him a guarded smile. "Do you have any jurisdiction over what I think is best?" Is his freezing reply.

"Yes. When it concerns my wife and another man - Correction. I meant boy."

Jean's taken aback by the subtle jab and shamefacedly shoves his hands into his pockets.

You watch the scene go down with a perplexed look the entire time. Levi's frustration seems to be legitimate yet he has no logical reason for it to ever be present in the first place. Unless he has a plan which outperforms the one you've just been given he's doing this all for nothing.

"I assure you your wife is in safe hands so long as you stop interfering."

Levi's about to bark back until he catches your confusion. He's become aware of your tilted head and telling expression and only then does he silence himself permanently not before sighing deeply, muttering an expletive under his breath.

 "I’ll sign it.” That seems to be Jean’s indirect way of asking what your choice will be.

“I... will too.” Is your hesitant reply.

Levi only becomes avoidant after that. Half way through Erwin explaining how you and Jean have to look believable Levi just ups and leaves without a word. Perhaps you've hurt his pride but for what he's done to you it's a small price to pay and so you do nothing to make amends. He has no reason to feel uncomfortable, you aren't really his wife, you're essentially strangers. Does he even know your favourite colour? Your favourite food? Your favourite pastime?  

You doubt he does.

Jean and you are rather successful with your act. It feels pleasant having him brush your hair out of your face occasionally or lovingly place a hand on your forehead to check if you've come down with a fever. He laces his fingers with yours when others are around and when they aren't he lets the act go. It's satisfying having a cooperative partner.

Naturally Jean is still a tease, even now he makes the odd suggestive comment or two in passing but you can't say you hate it. In fact it excites you to think of a response that borders the edge of teasing and simple fun between friends.

The increasing openness between the two of you is enough for the cadets to deduce that he's most probably the noble man you wed in secrecy.

It's only been a few days since yours and Jean's newfound behaviour, thankfully you haven't been flooded with questions just yet. The higher ups sit nearby during breakfast, lunch and dinner keeping watch over the cadets. It leaves you able to eat and drink without having to handle the constant inquiring of your comrades.

However, you aren't as lucky today. A meeting's taking place and after yours and Jean's convincing act Erwin deems it safe enough to leave you unattended for a short while.

Of course it doesn't go according to plan because when you're involved when does anything ever go according to plan?

The cadets are flocked around your table at dinner as soon as they notice they've been left to their own devices. The opportunity to sit down without everyone invading your space is barely provided to you. Krista is sat to your right leaning into you rather animatedly, Annie has made herself at home sat across you which in itself is completely out of character and slightly unnerving, Annie never and you repeat never concerns herself with you.

"Why did you and Jean hide it?" Armin hovers over your shoulder as per usual. He can't be blamed for naturally being inquisitive and it does give you the opportunity to lay out the foundations of your plan. Now's your time to muster up one of your rehearsed responses.

"It would interfere with work." You respond immediately wanting to appear natural. Pondering on an answer for too long would raise suspicions.

Armin makes a sound of approval and shuffles into the seat next to Krista, that is until Ymir can be overheard telling him to move if he knows what's best for him.

"I have a question." Says a voice across the table, you don't have to look at the blonde parallel to you to know it's her.

For once Annie’s initiated a conversation with you, she’s not particularly great at keeping her intentions discreet. Maybe she doesn’t care if you can tell what she’s up to? But if that’s the case her plan isn’t all that foolproof, there's no way you're to let any details slip away.

Sharply inhaling waiting for what it is she has to say you find that her sentence never comes. Instead she shakes her head and murmurs a "Never mind.". You don't even have the time to ask her to stick around, she's already rose from her seat taking her unfinished plate of food with her, you let her go assuming she feels unwell.

"So how'd you two meet? Jean already told me earlier but I'd like to hear your side." Reiner's taken Annie's empty seat and his gaze is unwavering. The trap they've set up is a clever one. Surveying the hall for Bertholdt you know he has to be observing too. The two never operate alone.

You suddenly hate Reiner. For whatever reason he and his trio are endlessly obsessed with you, they've caught onto something that's for sure but you don't know what it is and now they've completely ensnared you with a backhanded trick. There's no way out of this, you have no idea what it is Jean said to Reiner, the chances of you providing the exact same answer are slim to none.

"My memory is really fuzzy, I don't think Jean gave off much of a first impression so I've forgot." Your horrible excuse doesn't fly by, everyone simultaneously narrows their eyes in disbelief. What you've said isn't convincing at all.

Husband and Wife yet you've forgot how the two of you met?

Fidgeting with the ring adorning your finger the cool metal isn't doing a great job at alleviating the pressure of the situation.

"Jean said the two of you hit it off almost instantly. Who's being dishonest?"

Reiner's either lying to catch you out or he's saying the God honest truth and right now all you can do is hope and pray for a miracle to sweep you off your feet. Mikasa and Jean still aren't within view. At this point you're hoping for Levi to save you, it doesn't matter how so long as you escape unscathed.

"Hey, I think we're just making her anxious with all the questions." Armin is quick to side with you, deep down you know he only does so due to the respect he holds for his Commander. You thank the Heaven's for Erwin's admirable smile and commendable leadership, it seems to be the only reason Armin believes you and Jean.

"Or she's lying." Reiner's resting his head in one of his palms, he's still boring holes right into your frame.

Your eye twitches, this is all unnecessary and uncalled for, whatever it is Reiner wants out of you it better be worthwhile.

He still eggs you on. "You walked out of the Captain's quarters. I saw you."

Standing up and leaning forward you plant your feet to the ground as firmly as you can you.

"And if she did what's it to you?"

Fighting the urge to sigh in relief you've never been happier to hear Jean's voice but something's off. His breathing sounds heavy - like he fought his way to get inside. Turning only then do you notice Mikasa standing by him. She looks equally as exhausted. There's been some sort of a struggle.

"You think it was funny getting Annie to guard the door?" He heaves and runs a frustrated hand through his hair.

"And you think hiding secrets from the rest of us is any better?" Reiner's adamant there's information that the both of you are hiding, he's not wrong but that doesn't change that he's challenging you unprovoked without a reasonable motive.

"We're hiding nothing." Unlike you Jean is sure of his words, he's confident speaking up and he seems to be able to pull off the role of a protective husband perfectly.

“I came out of the Captain’s quarters because he had access to hot water. He said I could use his shower. That’s all it was.”

Reiner quirks an eyebrow upwards and is pleased with your answer. God you’ve said something incriminating haven’t you? It's not incriminating per se but it's without doubt malleable and easy to twist.

“Jean, you were okay with your wife doing that at the dead of night?” Reiner's still leading the interrogation.

“I was the one who suggested it.”

“I don’t believe you’re a couple." If it were Reiner who said that you wouldn't care much, after all it's pretty clear he never believed it but to your displeasure it isn't him who's spoken. Ymir's lopsided grin is all knowing and you're beginning to lose your footing in this argument any second now if any more people start to side against you.

If Ymir disagrees that almost certainly means Krista has her qualms about you too, you've observed beforehand that Ymir tends to speak for Krista on occasion. This happens to be one of those times.

Krista timidly raises her hand and Ymir gives her an approving nod encouraging her to speak.

"I don't like the conflict going on but it is suspicious..."

"Why have I only ever seen you two hold hands?" She asks.

Ymir slings her arm over Krista's shoulder affectionately. "Yeah, I tell Krista I'll marry her every day of the week."

Mikasa mumbles something unintelligible, Ymir gives her a look of warning but Mikasa doesn't seem to care. Instead she repeats what she has to say loud and clear.

"Stick to only speaking when Krista is involved."

Krista holds Ymir by her arm so she doesn't get up, she knows how she gets when she's been provoked. Even if Krista has her suspicions it isn't worth Ymir gaining a permanent penalty point on her record.

Thankfully Armin cuts in. "There's no solid evidence to show they're lying and even if they are the Commander's most probably told them to. Don't you think there's a reason? Leave it be if that's the case. I trust him with our lives."

"We have a right to know." Annie's returned and insists to keep this back and forth going.

Just as you're about to fire back Jean takes a hold of your waist, you look down and seeing his large hands planted securely around your frame has your stomach bubbling with anticipation.

"What are you— "

And then he kisses you, he doesn't ask and instinctively your arms move to whack his chest but you stop yourself in time. You realize it's for the sake of your plan not falling through and so you gently place your hands on his shoulders attempting to ground yourself. It becomes increasingly difficult when you sink deeper into the kiss than you'd like to admit. Blood rushes to the tips of your ears and the thumping of your heartbeat makes it difficult to articulate any thoughts, all you really know is that you like this, whatever this is.

Jean's hands don't feel like they were made to rest against your back, they feel slightly out of place as if he's a key and you're an unmatched lock. In spite of that the circles he comfortingly rubs into the sides of your waist are appreciated, you almost forget you're in a room full of people until you're flooded by cold air.

You've been dragged off of Jean and something in the pit of your stomach has you wishing Levi isn't responsible for the interruption.

To your relief it's just Hange, they're glowing in mischief, the grin on their face shows they aren't mad. They might even find this entertaining.

"Well I be damned... maybe they weren't bluffing?" Connie's been persuaded by the looks of it and Krista's busy whispering to Ymir, you hear the faint sound of the word "Romantic" escape her lips, she's equally as convinced as Connie.

Hange smacks your back light-heartedly and looks to the door for a second. "We leave ya' both for a while and you decide to give everyone a show?"

Erwin's stood by the doorway with a humorous smile playing at his lips, Levi however is anything but amused, he glares at you with murderous eyes, he looks like he's ready to end your life then and there but you know he won't dare do so and for a second you feel braver than you ever have before. Without much thought you grab onto Jean's forearm.

"Me and my husband will get going now!" You allow your gaze to loiter when you get to Reiner. He grunts an apology and you're oh so tempted to ask him to repeat himself but you'd rather not instigate anything.

With that said and done you and Jean leave after giving the performance of your lives.

Slowly but gradually the sky outside becomes dark.

The will to sleep left your body long ago. It's by pure luck that you even manage to catch three hours of rest. Training is the only available distraction and dying out in battle isn't favourable by any means, your boredom may as well be used resourcefully - Strapping yourself up in your ODM gear is the best option.

A quarter way through your warm up you can sense a presence behind you, the leaves rustle and the wind feels noticeably quieter. You'd bother to turn around to see who's intruded but Levi's snuck close enough for you to be able to smell his perfume from where you're stood.

"Feel disrespected? Embarrassed even?" You jab at him knowing it'll rile him up, you don't face him not wanting to give him the pleasure of seeing your face.

"Watch your mouth." he warns sharply.

Rolling your eyes you go about your business, it stays that way for a few minutes. All the while Levi stares at you darting from tree to tree, his scrutinizing gaze scalding you repeatedly.

"Y/N!" He yells at the top of his lungs.

For some unknown reason you automatically stop and lower yourself to the ground

"I have something to tell you." Comes his tense follow up. A finger of his latches onto one of the leather straps on your back.

You can't believe he's still denying the undeniable.

"You can wait till tomorrow. I'll be going to bed."

Levi doesn't seem to care for your cold response and proceeds with no warning.

"I'm jealous." His voice shakes. The grip he has on your harness doesn't let up. With your back turned to him you're still somehow able to detect the very obvious crack of pain.

Levi, jealous?

Gritting your teeth together you feel deceived.

How much longer will you have to tolerate Levi's push and pull?

“May I ask, what he is to you, my love?”

Your breathing grows heavy, tensing up you're completely shocked by the term of endearment that falls from his lips. You haven't heard it for so long, Levi sounds eerily different.

You hate to admit it but a flicker of foolish hope lights in your chest.

"Levi why would you ask— "

"Why don't you call me Lev anymore?" He whispers sounding strangled. You can't take it anymore and hesitantly look his way.

His eyes are filled with tears "I'm sorry my love, I don't know what went wrong." you falter for a second not knowing what to think.

At that moment the flicker becomes a flame.

The man who stands right before you is meant to be dead, never to be seen again. By all accounts this should be impossible, but Lev has always been a fighter.

Bitterness stings your heart, the wounds you've collected are still fresh but despite your body's protests you don't flinch when he gently takes a hold of your wrist, bringing it closer to his mouth.

"Lev...? Is that really you...?" You ask desperately.

The warm kiss he presses against your pulse point provides you with the answer you've been longing for.

[straighttohellbuddy]

YOUR TECHNO COSPLAY I AM SCREAMING. SO VERY FERAL. ITS SO GOOD!!!! -🐈‍⬛

HELLO FRIEND IT IS MY PRIDE AND ABSOLUTE FUCKING JOY!!!! IM FINALLY SO PLEASED WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT!!! IM SO SORRY ABOUT HOW VAIN IM ABOUT TO BE BUT IVE BEEN WANTING TO TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS FOR AGES

now i was going to put this further down but i really want to explain what im pretty sure is my biggest unique design choice and why i am FERAL about it, and it's the crown, the literal Bejewelled, Gilded, Crown of Thorns

Description pulled straight from wikipedia: 'The image of the crown of thorns is often used symbolically to contrast with earthly monarchical crowns.' and in explaining how it was used against Jesus 'to cause him pain and to mock his claim of authority'

So obviously techno's minecraft skin has a crown and that's the basis for it; my cosplay had to have a crown, but in the SMP he's a chaotic anarchist, it's his core ideal!

so it's a REMINDER, to himself and to all those who see it; no kings, no government, no one person should reasonably claim authority over a land. no matter how pretty it looks its always a crown of thorns.

IM FERAL AND I WILL NOT ACCEPT CRITICISM ON THIS DESIGN CHOICE

ANYWAYS NOW I HAVE TO FINALLY PROPERLY THANK THE ARTISTS WHO ARE THE REASON THIS COSPLAY LOOKS AS GOOD AS IT DOES

TOP OF THE LIST BAYBEEE @wolfythewitch 's Techno design which was the one that I initially saw and felt the need to cosplay, and their redesign too!!

Things from their design I want to point out in my cosplay that are SPECIFIC homages:

THE BOOTS THE BOOTS THE BOOTS I LITERALLY WOVE MY GOLD EMBROIDERY THREAD INTO SUITABLE LACES THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE OLD ONES WERE TOO YELLOW AND I LOVE THE RICH GOLD MORE

their design is specifically why i use the sclera contacts!!! i feel like its such a striking and unique design detail i knew that my techno cosplay had to have them!! (should also note that it was incredibly difficult to see out of but I still say it's worth it)

the shirt and the red jewelled bolo tie!! love it!!

and the other piece of art that heavily influenced my cosplay was @that-sweet-jester 's FLUFFY HAIR POG piece specifically, like you can see in my version from last year how flat my wig was, but this piece had my whole entire heart and I knew i needed to replicate the volume and style, so i spent HOURS steaming and combing and i put the whole wig in rollers and steamed it with the help of a drag tutorial and fluffed it and it took SO MUCH EFFORT but im SO PLEASED with how it turned out!!! Also their techno has a plethora of gold piercings and pointy ears and as someone with a ton of piercings I LOVED that and so when I put on my prosthetic ears, several of the piercings go through several of my own piercing holes to anchor the prosthetic, including my stretched lobe, which i don't think you really see a lot of :)

but ahhhh let me just ramble about the details for a little bit because the devil was SO in the details and I finally got it to look the way I wanted to!!!

the vibe of the outfit was very much backed on SAD-ist's Hog Hunt animation which gives me chills every time I watch it, and i just want to give off the same vibes as Hog Hunt with my cosplay, and a lot of the little details literally allude to my techno being specifically from when he was being hunted by the Butcher Army:

POTIONS; splash potions of strength, invisibility, and regeneration. i screenshotted from techno's butcher army vod to make sure i had the correct ones. i think i'm going to do proper labels for them so they also say the specific effect. but im happy as fuck with them for now!! Notes: they are remote control light up, and have chameleon powder in them that doesn't disolve in water, which means they look good when I'm still and the powder is settled at the bottle and the light shines through the coloured water, and they look good when I'm walking and not lit up because when they're shaken-

TOTEM OF UNDYING; gold leaf added around the eyes and his little hands, he used to light up but his batteries are unfortunately dead and there's literally no way for me to replace them but he looks good anyways. SO MUCH HOT GLUE

CAPE it used to have a hood but I removed it and kept the fur trim, I also removed the tie that kept it on and added some thin, curved, sturdy wood into the collar so it would keep its shape and not fall off. I bought the cape itself on aliexpress and it came with the gold beading which is an homage to the gold OF on his mc skin without adding an OF... tho I might for next year. And I definitely want to make the trim thicker and neater for next time

The gold chain fastners/ornaments on the cloak near the collar are little tridents !!

the other creator I have to pay respect to is @poodwattle (yes the one who creates all the sick as hell DSMP weapons) as his Orphan Obliterator from last year is the reason I used chameleon powder to make my own look enchanted!! the only part of the sword that i am not responsible for is the base of the blade, but the handle is 100% my creation, as is the handle and pommel, as well as the painting and detailing. each of the sigils on the sword is a real sigil that i found on witchblr but have unfortunately lost the originators of, but i wanna explain the sigils and their connections to the enchantments on the sword:

Fire Aspect II (sets target on fire) - SIGIL: I am connected to the element of fire.

Sharpness V (increases attack damage dealt to mobs) - SIGIL: Destruction & Revenge

Sweeping Edge III (increases damage of sweep attack) - SIGIL: Radiate Power

Unbreaking III (increases durability of item, in effect, by decreasing the chance of the tool, weapon, or armor taking durability damage when used) - SIGIL: I am Unbreakable.

time is the only reason i didn't add Mending and Looting III but i think im going to try and add them before my next outing, as well as a few modifications to the handle itself, but overall i'm so fucking pleased. the blood was probably the hardest part about it and im so glad it looks the way it does!!

the blue holds a very special place in my heart as i didn't actually make it, but in fact, my darling friend @vxidpxnk made it and gave it to me as ender's working on a ghostbur cosplay and im sentimental

other detail-y bits i want to mention

thigh bag - i literally had this laying around the house before i even wanted to cosplay techno but i think it works so well

finger armour and rings!! i just love the vibe, so the finger armour on my non-sword hand and rings on the sword hand :)

TEEF!!!! made from thermal plastic i realised it was fucking difficult to use the hot water method to change and mold the shape once i was happy with how it fit on my tooth so once i got a general idea and a good tooth fit i let it cool outside of my mouth and literally carved it to the final desired shape with a heated scalpel and im SO PLEASED!! do you know how hard it is to make protruding bottom tusks when you have an overbite? BECAUSE I DO

i want to make a stylised pickaxe for if i ever take this cosplay out again, but in the meantime im finishing beekeeper tubbo and designing my HUGE FUCK OFF DREAMXD cosplay that is going to be more work than techno was and already im both exhausted and excited.

ANYWAYS thank you if you made it this far, ive just put so much time and effort in and have been wanting to tell people able the details and inspiration for a very long time,,,,,,

[sithdestined]

Anakin, even at the tender age of nine, seemed to understand the gravity of what had occurred on Naboo, of what they had all done together. He understood enough to know that they had saved the day, that he was a hero as much as Obi-Wan and the Queen, and that they had done something good for Naboo. Even if it had all happened so quickly, even if it meant leaving Tatooine behind, even if he wasn't even entirely sure he belonged with the Jedi, there was no turning back. Naboo was free and it had been a handful of allies that made it happen, not some big army (though there had been one, the Gungan troops).

It had shown him that a few people could make a real difference even if it felt hopeless, that however cliche, the power of friendship and the goodness within friends could save the day and change things for the better. If he could help the Queen and her planet as a little boy with no real descernible powers, then imagine who he could help as a Jedi! As a grown up! Even though he ached for his mother, he had to trust her. She had told him to go. She understood. Didn't she? Or was she missing him too, lonely there on that desert planet?

She'd still have Watto, but he wasn't entirely sure that counted. Still, he treated her well, for a slave. She wasn't beat or punished, and she was allowed to live her life as long as she didn't try to leave. What would she do for income now? Sell scraps, probably. He had done most of the work at the shop so maybe she would take over, keep busy during the day. He felt guilty for how excited he was at his arrival on Coruscant, when he'd seen the temple for the first time. Not only for his mother whom he'd left behind, but for Qui-Gon, who did not return alive. Here he was starting a brand new life, but at the expense of what? Of who?

But Obi-Wan had told him emphatically not to think of it that way. It was not a trade or sacrifice. Qui-Gon had died doing what he was trained to do, what he loved. Being a Jedi. Protecting others. Fighting the Sith. He had been proud of Anakin, seen his potential, and would not have wanted Anakin to consider his death even remotely related to his good fortune. That was not how it worked. Sometimes, good people died and it was not any single person's fault. They had left Naboo and returned to Coruscant where Qui-Gon's funeral had been held, as well as Obi-Wan's knighting ceremony, and Anakin's induction into the order.

His hair had been cut, with the exception of the short braid that dangled behind his ear, currently lacking the colored elastics that indicated his area of study and talent. Amidst all his mixed feelings about the entire thing, there had been always excitement as well. He was going back to Naboo to see Padmé and the handmaidens, to celebrate the victory and the unification talks between the human and Gungan population. He would get to see her again, the angel that visited him in his dreams. He had already resolved to marry her, and told her as much, though he understood he would have to wait until he was much more grown up and a very powerful Jedi.

But one day, he was certain, she would like him as much as he liked her. Until that day, spending any time with her at all was precious. Obi-Wan was... somewhere, not currently escorting Anakin up to the dias, where the Queen sat, looking radiant and jubilant. She was surrounded by people but as soon as she spotted him, it was like they were the only two people in the world. "Obi-Wan says that Master Qui-Gon is one with the Force and at peace and we should not mourn him. Something about letting our grief go," Anakin said, hoping he sounded wise. He scuffed his boot on the ground and looked around them, lighting up when she asked about Coruscant. "Oh, yes. It's beautiful there. And not too hot. But also not too cold!" He corrected. He didn't want to sound like he was complaining.

"Master Obi-Wan says I'm not supposed to take up too much of your time," he said after a beat, looking at the line behind him. "Maybe later if you're not busy, I could tell you all about it." He just wanted to spend time with her, the two of them, but he also understood that it might not be an option.

@sithdestined asked for a Babykin Starter

Today was a victory celebration, but it was bittersweet in more ways than one. While Padmé was incredibly grateful to be back home on her beloved Naboo, while she was glad to see the Trade Federation's unjust takeover repelled and the beginnings of real peace talks between Naboo's human and gungan populations, these things had all come at an incredible cost. The loss of her citizens' life, the physical and emotional scarring of her citizens who had been held in camps by the Trade Federation while she and a few of her handmaidens had escaped to ask for help, the loss of Master Jinn.

In some ways, the loss of her own innocence. She had expected that the wider galaxy with all of its power and influence would come rushing to her aid in the face of such a great injustice. Instead, only a handful of beings had truly helped her in a time of need: the Jedi, who she had expected to help and was nevertheless grateful for, and two enslaved humans from Tatooine, Shmi and Anakin Skywalker. What did it say about the Galactic Republic if the only ones most willing to help a fellow citizen were those with the least amount of resources to offer in aid?

But all of this pondering would have to wait until a later time. For now the ceremonial portion of the celebration was completed, and there were many beings who wished to greet Queen Amidala. Padmé smiled and nodded, offering words of comfort as the long train of beings came and went before her position at the top of the dias. Finally, a familiar set of faces appeared, and she greeted them with a genuine smile: "Hello again. I am truly grateful that you were able to attend today's ceremony." Her expression grew more sombre as she looked at Obi-Wan. "My deepest condolences for the loss of Master Jinn. Naboo will forever be in his debt." Then, her eyes traveled from Obi-Wan down to Anakin in his new Jedi Padawan attire and haircut. "Are you excited to return to Coruscant and begin your training?"