(ABANDONED)TFP: Way of the Flame

17

Wheeljack notices this, "They're not gonna bite." "That isn't what I'm concerned about." "Then what is?" Watching the girl struggle to get the answer out, which at the end she refused to. Even Lena is still processing what Jack and Raf said earlier. About them liking mutants, wanting to help them, get to know them. Alex was the one who wanted this the most, so why is it now, when he's dead, that it all begins to slowly change? Mumbling, "It's the strength of your heart and mind in unison that truly allows us to be in peace." Wheeljack looks at her questionably before Lena sucks up a large breath and begins walking stiffly to the teens.

The three and the guardians share odd looks at Lena's strange walk before awkwardly sitting in the spare brown cushioned couch-chair, still holding her breath before giving a stiff wave and "Hello." Mentally screaming at herself for being so awkward. Just what else is she supposed to do?! She isn't used to this. Being able to talk to people let alone try to become... friends? Not completely sure if she should still trust them but she feels some sort of pull telling her she can. She sits with her legs hugged into her chest, watching the three teens battle each other familiarly on the TV screen, Miko bumping Jack's car on its bumper, making it spiral out of the screen's bounds. 

Groaning at the loss. This was the 19th time Miko's defeated him. 19th. In. A. Row. Now that his eyes were free of the on-screen competition, he turned to see how Lena was doing during the last hour they raced, finding her sound asleep on the chair, sunken into its padding. Getting up, grabbing the nearest blanket and gently placing it on her, careful not to wake the introverted girl. Which reminds him, he still has to ask Arcee about the conversation Lena and Jordan had, but now felt like the wrong time. 

Running. So much Running. The air grew colder. Thicker. Steps grew thunderous, almost as loud as the heart racing in the chest her head is pressed against.

"Seems like you've gotten attached," remarks Arcee. Jack turns to the trio of guardians and human duo on the couch looking at him. "What? I see her as a little sister. And no one should have to live through any form of abuse."

Why is everything so loud?! Who's holding me? Why is it so cold?

"'Big brother Jack', has a nice ring to it," teases Miko, taking out her phone to get a pic of Lena snoozing for her 'Lena's first time at the base' album. Bumblebee lets out a series of beeps in replace of snickering. Everyone's in agreement that Jack's the older brother of the group. Rolling his eyes, plopping back down on the yellow couch, "So what were Lena and Jordan talking about? You were near them and I'm kinda curious about how he gained her trust so fast," turning his head to his navy blue and pink accented guardian.

"We can't keep running! Not with the children. They're in just as much danger with us than alone," argues the woman holding Lena's small body. Wait, why am I so small? Questions Lena. Just who is she?! What is she yelling about?

Arcee's optics look at Lena before averting them back to her charge, "That's for me to know, Jack."

Everything turned dark. She couldn't see anything besides her body and it felt as if... she were floating? Is this a mindscape or something? 'Lena' that voice! Turning around, she sees a boy with pale as can be skin, snow-white hair, light blue eyes, wearing white dress-like clothing. Free of any bloodstains and burns, his eyes showing all types of life. 

"Wha-really, Arcee? Not even a small hint? All I know is that they were talking about mutants but nothing before that." Miko's pigtails perked up, "Mutants? Cool! I've always wanted to meet one! I heard they can do these weird energy blasts," placing the two bottoms of her palms together with her fingers sticking upward in the form of a laser blast.

'Trust them, Lena.' His body begins fading, 'They're nice people and robots. But don't trust Jordan, I get a bad feeling from him'. Running forward to try and touch him. Please. Please don't go! I promised! I promised to protect you!  I... I what... I don't.. remember...

Whimpering in her sleep, the team turns their attention to the newest member who now has small tears rolling down her cheeks, mumbling, "Don't... go... promised..." reaching out to grab something nonexistent in the air in front of her. Bumblebee wirs something, Rafael translates, "He asked what she could be dreaming about."

'You did for as long as you could. I love you, big sister' giving her the last of his bright smiles she'll ever see again.

"Alex!" screaming, shooting her eyes open and launching her body forward in a grabbing manner. Seeing how nothing was there before looking at her hands, feeling the teardrops fall down on them in hard splashes. "No...no no no no no! He was just here! I saw... he was just... come back," her words becoming quieter and quieter before shoving her head in her knees. Wiping away the stray tears, holding in the rest before losing control. Feeling a pair of warm arms wrap around her neck. It was Raf. Probably one of the most emotional and empathetic members of Team Prime. 

Getting up, Raf's arms slip away considering how he's shorter than the 16-year-old even if she has been malnourished most her life. Even if she herself doesn't trust those around her at the moment, doesn't mean she doesn't believe her brother's word. He always did have a knack for feeling a person's true personality. "I saw my brother... in some... dreamscape. He told me to trust all of you but there will be topics I will absolutely not share unless if I have to," taking in large breathes to calm her beating heart. "O-Oh," was the only sound that came out of Jack, Miko, and Raf, unsure on how to completely react to this situation. 

Optimus decides to break the tension rising, "Lena, now that you know of our existence, you need a guardian. I am far too busy to take on that title, so Ra-" "Busy!" the Prime suppresses a sigh, "Wheeljack, will be your guardian."

"What?!" Ratchet and Wheeljack shout in unison. Dropping his wrench aguing, "I take it back! I'll take her, Wheeljack is far too irresponsible!" "For once, doc, I think you should take her. I don't know the first thing about what humans do." "See! Even Wheeljack agrees."

"U-uhm, if I'm allowed to add my opinion... I don't think I need a guardian. I don't do much in the first place besides going to school, head to work at the flower shop, and head home. And I met you guys when you shrunk so the Decepticons shouldn't know I exist and I doubt they do. It's not like they keep a 24-hour surveillance camera flying around spying on you guys, right? Because if they did they would've found your base by now."

"Indeed, you are correct, but we must not take any risks," responds Optimus. His helm slowly turns from the human child to the wrecker, "Wheeljack, as Lena's charge, you are to guard her and take care of her, doing so you must form a guardian-charge bond." 

Scowling, having to be dragged down by a charge was and still isn't Wheeljack's style. Not when he's the solo-bot of the team. He doesn't even like staying at the base for too long but with her as a charge, he'll have to be here more often. Meaning: Less exploring. Plus, she wasn't anything like Miko. No interest in 'Con bashing, grenades, anytime of fighting or gadgets. But it's understandable when he remembers the events he witnessed and heard in that room. On the bright side, maybe Lena can help him blow some 'Con mines to smithereens with that ability of hers. 

Putting on his usual playful smirk, crossing his arms over his chassis while the human that's just been assigned his charge fiddles nervously with her thumbs with her head hung slightly low, averting her gaze from the white, red, and green-themed Autobot. Slightly making the reference of his colors to a Christmas tree. "Well, kid, I guess you're stuck with me. Want me to drive you home?"

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OHMYGOD

This took me a day and a half to write. Not that I should be complaining but I'm just now realizing I procrastinated on spanish homework... RIP Author.

Edit: Just now realizing that I lost my glasses. Time to squint at everything like I'm suspicious it stole the last slice of pizza.