Need a servo, sweetspark?

//So I was thinking about Finnish voices of Rescue Bots, one thing led to another, and I ended up choosing a Finnish “dubbed” voice for Flicker as well… so why not make an animatic out of it. The voice actor is Rabbe Smedlund and voice clips are from Moomin and Alfred J. Kwak.

💙 Here Comes the Boy 💙

Nimbus had to catch himself to make sure he didn’t tell him yet again that he didn’t need to apologize. He figured that the younger bot really was a lot like Skysiren, and that he just needed to let it go or the other would get frustrated. Still, it did hurt his spark a little to hear. He’d have to ask Skysiren to try and help Flicker through that; it wasn’t good for him.

The little hug caught him off guard, but it was mostly because he wasn’t sure if Flicker even could given the size difference between them. He immediately understood why Skysiren always gushed about how cute his hugs were. He could barely even feel the pressure from the gentle squeeze. Primus above this kid needs a strength mod or something, that’s borderline silly. He noticed the bot’s sheepish look and gave him a smile, carefully wrapping his servo under his arms and around his torso to gently squeeze in a pseudo-hug, using his thumb to rub the smaller bot’s arm before letting him go. 

“I’m glad I was able to help. Just be sure to let me know if anything feels off, ok? The last thing we need is you getting sick again.” He smiled sympathetically before a thought popped into his head. “How are you feeling today, by the way?” he asked with a small frown, quickly glancing over Flicker’s appearance. “Anything out of the ordinary? Achy? Stiff? Just say the word and I’ll do what I can.”

Flicker knew it was sometimes hard for him to tell others when he wasn’t well, but he really wanted to promise Nimbus he’d do that. He gave a little nod. “I-I’ll let you know if anything feels wrong.” It was one thing to say it out loud and quite another to actually do it when things would really become difficult, but Flicker didn’t want to make others worry anymore by hiding his troubles.

The young bot was slightly taken aback when Nimbus began to query his current condition all of a sudden. Flicker looked down on himself as if he could’ve spotted the answer written over his frame as he thought back to the beginning of the morning. “W-well”, he uttered and paused. He placed his servos in front of him with straight digits pressed together, optics drifting to the floor for a moment as he put his thoughts into words. He had to remind himself to tell Nimbus everything and not play down anything. “I felt a little stiff this morning w-when I woke up, b-but the stiffness went away after a while. I-I don’t think that’s a-anything serious, though. And… I-I talked with Skysiren. We, uh… We cried a little bit. But we talked things through and everything’s okay now.”

He couldn’t help but roll his optics a bit over hearing that Flicker and Skysiren had cried again when they talked, because of course they did. He was starting to wonder if they could even hold normal conversations without crying. The two of them were naturally highly empathetic, so it’s only natural, he supposed. At least he could take comfort in knowing they were so emotionally in sync.

The sudden unease in Flicker’s face gave him pause. It was clear the young bot was worrying about something again. He wasn’t expecting it to be about his ability to transform. Truth be told, it wasn’t really something he had been keeping an optic on, but only because T-Cog damage due to extreme cold was highly uncommon. Still, the fact that Flicker asked in the first place made him worry.

Nimbus inhaled sharply at the look on Flicker’s face. Scrap. I should’ve taken a second to pull myself together first. I must look like I crawled straight out of the pit. He opened his mouth to respond to the smaller bot’s initial question but immediately shut it again when he shut his optics. He tried to keep the grimace off his face as he saw the guilty look on Flicker’s face. The apology, however, threw him completely off guard, before he remembered who he was talking to. Of course he feels bad for making us worry. Geez, little buddy.

“Hey, you really have nothing to apologize for,” Nimbus said as he took a few steps closer. Getting down on a knee in front of the other, he leaned forward a bit before continuing, “What you went through was extremely traumatizing; it’s not your fault that you’ve been… the way you’ve been lately,” he winced slightly at his lack of tact, but pushed forward. “What I mean is, I’m not, like, mad or upset or anything, I just. I’m your friend, and your docbot, ya know? I worry about you, is all. You’re family.” He smiles at the younger bot, hoping it properly conveys his feelings despite his tired optics.

He instinctively reaches out to pat Flicker on the shoulder, but stops suddenly as he remembers how much bigger he is. Ah. He’s not as used to regular contact with minis as Skysiren is. How does he, um? He chuckles, scratching the back of his neck with one servo while the previous one continues reaching forward to gently pat him a few times on the arm. Yeah. Not awkward at all.

Flicker looked hesitantly up at Nimbus as he got closer and assured that Flicker had nothing to apologize for. He flashed a wavery smile, yet he didn’t seem fully convinced by Nimbus’ words. Traumatizing was a strong word and Flicker bit his lower lip with an anxious look, his shoulders tensing up slightly, but he didn’t deny how true it was. Just thinking too closely of what had happened would make him feel like he’d freeze up again and the uneasiness would squeeze its claws around his spark.

However, it was somewhat relieving to hear that Nimbus wasn’t mad or upset. Of course Flicker had made them worry and he still felt sorry for that, but he would’ve been similarly worried sick if his friend would have been in trouble. “I… I really care about you a-and everyone on this ship. So I… I-I’m still sorry I made you worry,” Flicker said softly and managed to smile at Nimbus’ tentative pat on his arm. The young bot placed his servo on top of Nimbus’ digits and met his optics. “Also, I’m… really grateful you for your help. Thank you.”

The little hug caught him off guard, but it was mostly because he wasn’t sure if Flicker even could given the size difference between them. He immediately understood why Skysiren always gushed about how cute his hugs were. He could barely even feel the pressure from the gentle squeeze. Primus above this kid needs a strength mod or something, that’s borderline silly. He noticed the bot’s sheepish look and gave him a smile, carefully wrapping his servo under his arms and around his torso to gently squeeze in a pseudo-hug, using his thumb to rub the smaller bot’s arm before letting him go. 

Nimbus collapsed into his desk chair with a frustrated groan, dragging his servos down his face with an aggravated sigh as he eyed the results of his latest mock-surgery with a frown. A complete catastrophic failure, no doubt because of how distracted he’s been. The only thing darker than the bags under his eyes was his current mood; how could he let himself get like this? He sighed, closing his optics and resting his face in his palms. He knew exactly what was wrong with him.

Flicker has been, quite frankly, scaring him a little lately. He expected the mini to be distant after his traumatic near-death, but he never expected him to be this vacant. He knew he wasn’t sleeping, and that was Nimbus’s biggest concern. If he wasn’t sleeping, he wasn’t recovering, and that only meant Flicker was going to get sick again, maybe even worse than before. The thought set his nerves alight, and he stood up and began to pace. His rotors twitched restlessly at his back. 

Nimbus cared about Flicker very much. Even though he didn’t spend nearly as much time with him as Skysiren did, he still valued his companionship. He’d been trying to figure out how to spend more time with him lately, but then everything happened, and with how distant the small blue bot has been he’s been hesitant to approach. Flicker is delicate and sensitive. Skysiren is better at that stuff than he is. Clenching and unclenching his servos as his rotors continued to twitch, Nimbus tried to think of a good way to approach the younger bot in a way that wouldn’t be, like, super awkward. 

He nearly jumped out of his plating at the knock on his door. Was that… Flicker? “Uh, I, uh- I mean, yeah man, of course you can come in. Anytime.”

Smooth. 

The response made Flicker feel more uneasy - normally Nimbus didn’t sound like that. The door opened and revealed Flicker standing in the hallway, servos clung together nervously, optics cast on the floor. As the young bot stepped in, he swallowed and raised his helm, and his optics were overcome with dismay immediately. Nimbus looked terrible. Any prepared words of opening vanished from Flicker’s processor and he wasn’t sure what to say. He lowered his anxious gaze again.

“Hey, you really have nothing to apologize for,” Nimbus said as he took a few steps closer. Getting down on a knee in front of the other, he leaned forward a bit before continuing, “What you went through was extremely traumatizing; it’s not your fault that you’ve been... the way you’ve been lately,” he winced slightly at his lack of tact, but pushed forward. “What I mean is, I’m not, like, mad or upset or anything, I just. I’m your friend, and your docbot, ya know? I worry about you, is all. You’re family.” He smiles at the younger bot, hoping it properly conveys his feelings despite his tired optics.

A warm wave of relief washed over Skysiren’s frame as Flicker agreed to go see Nimbus. The other bot really has been worried sick, and she knew that a visit from the mini was exactly what he needed. She was proud of him for taking initiative like that; she hoped that the two would spend more time together as they grew closer. Primus knows they both need it. They can’t rely exclusively on her forever. 

She was surprised when Flicker gestured for Flashlight to stay put, but pride took its place upon his explanation of wanting alone time with Nimbus to focus on his apology. Skysiren smiled softly, optics shining. He really has grown so much, she thought fondly, reaching out to carefully pet the small dog on the head with a single digit in comfort. 

“It’s no trouble at all, sweetspark,” she said, maneuvering her digit to gently scratch under Flashlight’s chin. “You go do what you need to do. We’ll be here. Flashlight will be safe and sound with me, isn’t that right?” she cooed gently at the dog, blowing a kiss at her before looking back at Flicker with a grin. “Go on, get out of here, you. And don’t tell Nimbus I blew a kiss at Flashlight! He’ll never let me live it down,” she finished with a giggle. 

Flashlight accepted Skysiren’s petting without a delay, wagging her tail and letting out a happy whine. Flicker was sure she’d do well with Skysiren while he was gone. “Thank you.” The young bot smiled at the sight. He actually giggled at Skysiren’s words and replied: “I won’t”. It was nice to see her friends get along so well and he was sure it wouldn’t do any harm for Skysiren to spend a bit of time with Flashlight for change. He watched them for a few more seconds, and then he left to the hallway. “See you later”, he said quickly over his shoulder with a smile before the door closed.

It wasn’t uncommon for Flicker to transform and travel through the hallways in his alternative mode, but now he decided to walk: he didn’t want to strain his frame as he was still recovering. Besides, Nimbus’ room wasn’t too far away so it wouldn’t take him long. While he walked, he mulled over what he should say. I should apologize to him… And thank him for his help, too. I hope he’s not too upset… What if he’s mad? No, he wouldn’t be…

Flicker has been, quite frankly, scaring him a little lately. He expected the mini to be distant after his traumatic near-death, but he never expected him to be this vacant. He knew he wasn’t sleeping, and that was Nimbus’s biggest concern. If he wasn’t sleeping, he wasn’t recovering, and that only meant Flicker was going to get sick again, maybe even worse than before. The thought set his nerves alight, and he stood up and began to pace. His rotors twitched restlessly at his back. 

Nimbus cared about Flicker very much. Even though he didn’t spend nearly as much time with him as Skysiren did, he still valued his companionship. He’d been trying to figure out how to spend more time with him lately, but then everything happened, and with how distant the small blue bot has been he’s been hesitant to approach. Flicker is delicate and sensitive. Skysiren is better at that stuff than he is. Clenching and unclenching his servos as his rotors continued to twitch, Nimbus tried to think of a good way to approach the younger bot in a way that wouldn’t be, like, super awkward. 

He nearly jumped out of his plating at the knock on his door. Was that... Flicker? “Uh, I, uh- I mean, yeah man, of course you can come in. Anytime.”

The sight of Flicker pressing his cheek into her thumb never failed to make her spark fill with warmth; it almost took her attention away from the fact that he had begun speaking. Skysiren nearly huffed when a few tears slid down his cheek, but then there he went talking about the day they met and how happy he was to have the crew as his family and yup, she was crying again too. Primus we’re both so emotional, she thought as she sniffled, using her free servo to swiftly swipe her tears away. She chuckled.

“I’m glad, too. You know, it’s strange, but I really can’t picture what life here would have been like if I had left without you.” She smiled at him, using the thumb on his cheek to gently swipe away his tears. “Perhaps this is the way it was always meant to be? You being a part of our family, I mean. I like thinking of it that way.” She carefully leaned forward, still on her belly, and gently pressed her forehead to Flicker’s before backing off again, thumb releasing his cheek so that she could wrap her servo behind him, not quite holding, but softly touching. 

She frowns slightly, suddenly, at the thought of the rest of the crew. “Nimbus has been worried too, you know. It would probably be a good idea to go soothe him, let him know you’re ok. He’s actually lost sleep over his worry.” She smiled again with a small laugh. “Did you know he’s been trying to think of ways to spend more time with you? It’s really pretty cute.” She leans down one last time to place a quick peck to his forehead before backing off entirely, sitting up cross-legged on the floor. “You don’t have to do it right now if you’re not up for another emotional, draining conversation, but Nimbus would definitely appreciate it.”

Were it not for Skysiren’s gentle laughter, Flicker would’ve felt bad for making her tear up once again. How come they cried so often around each other, yet they seemed to be happiest in each other’s presence?

Flicker smiled and glanced down shyly when Skysiren described how she couldn’t picture a life without him. He felt the same way: it was hard to imagine where he would’ve been now if he hadn’t joined her crew. He was sure it wouldn’t have been as good as his life was now with them. “I feel like I’m meant to be here”, he agreed softly. He found himself thinking that he hadn’t done enough to deserve everything he had around him, but he cherished it with all his spark nevertheless.

Skysiren’s revelation about Nimbus worrying to the point of losing sleep brought regret to Flicker’s optics and he lowered his helm in shame for a moment. I have to apologize him. “Really?” Flicker raised his helm again, but his smile faltered. He felt bad for not realizing before how much Nimbus had put effort in it, let alone the fact the young bot had still not thanked the rest of the crew properly after the accident. He had to fix this as soon as possible.

She was surprised when Flicker gestured for Flashlight to stay put, but pride took its place upon his explanation of wanting alone time with Nimbus to focus on his apology. Skysiren smiled softly, optics shining. He really has grown so much, she thought fondly, reaching out to carefully pet the small dog on the head with a single digit in comfort. 

Skysiren smiled gently down at Flicker as he attempted to steady his breathing, nuzzling him one last time as he finished wiping tears from his face. She was glad to see him smiling again, a real smile, after trying to hide his feelings from her for so long. Primus, she hadn’t realized how tense the whole situation had made her, breathing out a loud sigh of relief and feeling the stress flow free from her frame. 

“You’re welcome, dear. Now bear with me while I go on a bit of a rant, if you please.” She paused to wait for Flicker to give an affirmative before continuing. “I understand how stressed you’ve been lately. We’ve talked about it before, so I know you know you don’t have to tell me everything whenever you’re upset. I just really hope you know how much you mean to me, and how happy I am that you can trust me enough to tell me what you told me today.”

Skysiren paused for a moment to very carefully place Flicker and Flashlight back on the ground, before situating herself onto her belly on the floor. She continued, “Even if you never tell me everything, that’s ok. But I really feel it’s important that I let you know that when you are ready, I’ll be here. And I know you’re not as close to him as you are to me, but Nimbus is here too.” She reached out to him with her servo, her thumb gently sweeping back and forth across his cheek in a comforting gesture. “No matter what happens, we’re here for each other. We’re a family. And I will do my best to help you in any way I can.”

Much to his relief, Flicker could practically feel the tension slipping out of Skysiren through her seams. He never wanted to be a burden to anyone on this ship and he realized now more clearly than before that his act had done nothing but harm in the end. That moment the young bot made a promise inside his processor: I will tell them if I’m not okay. They deserve to know.

Flicker nodded to Skysiren’s request and his earlier oh-so-dull optics seemed much brighter now as he was ready to listen what she had to say. He actually did feel a bit better, even if his spark wasn’t completely free of weight just yet.

When Skysiren told him how much he meant to her, Flicker’s optics gleamed with joy. He squeezed the femme’s digit gently with his servo in affection before slipped carefully to the floor, Flashlight following right behind him and barely waiting for him to sit down before laying down next to him.

Flicker hoped Skysiren understood how much her words warmed his spark. He pressed his cheek against her thumb with a gentle smile. It was soothing to be around her like this: appreciating her presence, not having to worry if she could see through his shallow attempt to act like he was fine. I need to talk to Nimbus and Compak later - I’ve caused so much trouble to them, too.

“I’m glad, too. You know, it’s strange, but I really can’t picture what life here would have been like if I had left without you.” She smiled at him, using the thumb on his cheek to gently swipe away his tears. “Perhaps this is the way it was always meant to be? You being a part of our family, I mean. I like thinking of it that way.” She carefully leaned forward, still on her belly, and gently pressed her forehead to Flicker’s before backing off again, thumb releasing his cheek so that she could wrap her servo behind him, not quite holding, but softly touching. 

Reblog if

Skysiren was no stranger to playing the crying shoulder. During her days of the war, bots whom had lost someone dear to them or were overwhelmed by fear often sought her out to seek comfort in her embrace. One would think that after all that time, all that crying, she’d be numb to it by now.

But she wasn’t. She didn’t think she ever would be. Especially not if they were the broken sobs of a bot she cared so much for. Skysiren wished she could truly hold him as he wept in her servos, but felt that this was what Flicker truly needed. So she waited.

She was relieved when his crying slowly stopped. Even more so when Flashlight caused him to smile just a teensy bit. When his optics turned to her and he began with an apology she made to speak, but he corrected himself before she could. The pain laced through his voice at the mention of his carrier called out to Skysiren’s spark, and she answered by lifting her servos to her face to place a delicate kiss to the top of Flicker’s head, then raised him up slightly further to bring their foreheads together.

Like this, it was easier than ever to feel their difference. But she let herself and Flicker merely exist in each other’s space for a moment, feeling comfort in their closeness, before she said to him, “No matter what it is that happened to you, whatever you went through, you didn’t deserve it. You don’t have to talk about it now if you’re not ready, but please just know that as long as I live, I will do what I can to keep you safe and happy. Pain like that will never find you again. I swear it.”

All the care Skysiren showed Flicker in that moment - the fact she listened to him patiently, the careful kiss placed on top of his helm, the gentle touch of forehelms - Flicker couldn’t have appreciated it more. The young bot knew he could tell Skysiren anything and everything, but now, after revealing what might have been his heaviest secret, that fact truly concretized to him. He nuzzled against Skysiren’s forehelm briefly with a weak smile.

Of course, there was plenty of things left to tell about. The relationship Flicker’d had with Echowave and how he’d treated the small bot… Flicker almost shuddered. It had taken his best effort to even bring up the existence of that mech and he was afraid he couldn’t tell everything there was to be told in one go. Just then, Skysiren assured Flicker that he didn’t need to talk about it right now and, although Flicker was struggling to believe it sincerely, that he hadn’t deserved whatever had happened.

Then Skysiren made that promise. The promise that would bring a bit of ease to Flicker in future when he remembered Echowave and what had happened, when he’d try to reassure himself it was over and he was in a better place now. The promise that took away any remains of uncertainty Flicker’d ever had about belonging here. The promise to keep him safe and happy.

That was the kind of parental love and protection Flicker’d never had before.

“You’re welcome, dear. Now bear with me while I go on a bit of a rant, if you please.” She paused to wait for Flicker to give an affirmative before continuing. “I understand how stressed you’ve been lately. We’ve talked about it before, so I know you know you don’t have to tell me everything whenever you’re upset. I just really hope you know how much you mean to me, and how happy I am that you can trust me enough to tell me what you told me today.”

Every time Flicker apologized, she could feel the words tug at her spark. He reminded her of herself so much it was almost painful, and she once again hoped he grew out of it some day. She paused in stroking his cheeks as he went to wipe his tears, relieved that he wasn’t still trying to hide the fact that he was crying, even if the sight made her want to hold him closer than ever. 

His stuttering gave her pause. Flicker usually only stuttered that badly when he was exceptionally nervous talking about something, and if it was something that frightened him this badly Skysiren wasn’t sure if they were ready for it yet. He did his best to soldier through it, and when he finally said what he meant to say it was almost too quiet for her to hear. 

But she did.

Her fans nearly stalled at the mention of his “carrier”. She still forgot just how young Flicker was sometimes. But the fact that mentioning his carrier sent him into near hysterics lit a fire in her spirit, something fierce yet gentle, and she held him close to her spark yet again as she attempted to reassure him. “It’s ok dear, it’s ok, I’m right here, it’s alright. You’re safe here, everything’s alright.” 

Skysiren slowly sat down on the floor, still holding Flicker but using a free servo to lift a clearly worried Flashlight off the ground and bring her to Flicker, holding the two in her palm. She allowed Flashlight to snuggle up to Flicker before carefully rubbing his back again, continuing to whisper reassurances to him, ready and willing to sit there as long as he needed before he could speak again.

The young bot couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried this intensively. He couldn’t control his fierce sobs, his spark was aching, and it took him a good minute to even realize Skysiren’s comfort which he then clung onto, as if it would’ve been a life ring holding him on the surface.

Suddenly Flashlight was next to him and she practically jumped onto Flicker’s lap with frantic whining. She poked his faceplate with her snout and wagged her tail in attempt to cheer him up, and although Flicker couldn’t stop crying just yet, he wrapped his arms around the robotic dog to pull her into a tight hug.

Flicker wasn’t sure how long he’d been crying - probably just a few minutes, but it felt definitely much longer. He began to cough between his sobs. Flicker felt ashamed, but it was also relieving to let out the anxiety that had been eating him from inside for so long. Too long.

Finally Flicker was able to calm down and his sobs ceased, leaving him sniffling quietly and wiping his faceplate with both servos. Flashlight had pressed herself against Flicker with all her weight and as soon as their optics met, her tail began to wag more, its tip hitting gently against Skysiren’s palm with quiet ting-ting-ting. The little bot managed to smile weakly and he pressed his faceplate briefly against Flashlight’s helm before he met Skysiren’s optics shyly. He knew Skysiren was worried, especially after this kind of episode.

But she wasn’t. She didn’t think she ever would be. Especially not if they were the broken sobs of a bot she cared so much for. Skysiren wished she could truly hold him as he wept in her servos, but felt that this was what Flicker truly needed. So she waited.

She was relieved when his crying slowly stopped. Even more so when Flashlight caused him to smile just a teensy bit. When his optics turned to her and he began with an apology she made to speak, but he corrected himself before she could. The pain laced through his voice at the mention of his carrier called out to Skysiren’s spark, and she answered by lifting her servos to her face to place a delicate kiss to the top of Flicker’s head, then raised him up slightly further to bring their foreheads together.

Flicker left the silence to hang in the air for much longer than she expected. She was almost unsettled, but then she noticed him shifting, slightly, like he was trying to hold still but couldn’t. She looked at him when he began to speak, and the moment he cut himself off she feared he was going to say he was fine again. Her spark ached seeing him like this, and she knew she should do something, but she so badly wanted him to say for himself that he wasn’t ok.

She opened her mouth to speak but silenced herself when Flicker sighed. Patience, Skysiren reminded herself. Let him go at his own pace. When he finally looked her in the optics again she could see, clearer than ever, how tired he was, and how frustrated he was, but about what exactly she couldn’t tell just yet, but then, but then.

He apologized?, she thought incredulously, For not recovering yet? Something immediately felt off, and when Flicker dipped his helm down into the safety of his arms and sobbed she could feel that that wasn’t the root of the issue. Wanting to help but not entirely sure what to do, Skysiren sat up, cupped a gentle servo around him and stroked his back with her thumb, quietly asking for permission and waiting for an affirmative before carefully lifting him up into both servos. She tenderly rubbed his cheek with her thumb a few times and gave him a moment to breathe before she told him, “Flicker, sweetspark, you have nothing to apologize for. I-” she paused, and sighed. “I never should’ve let you off the ship when we were so close to an enemy camp. I should’ve known better. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

She smiled softly at him. “I know you’re trying to keep me from worrying, but you not telling me when you’re hurting only makes me worry more because I can see that you’re upset but I don’t know how to help. You don’t have to talk to me if you’re ever not comfortable doing so,” she quickly added, “but I need you to always remember that I’m right here for you if you need me.” Skysiren lifted him slightly further and held him to her chassis in as close as she could get to a hug, just over her spark. “You are never a burden or a bother to me. Never.”

She stayed like that for a few more seconds before moving her servos back in front of her face. “You don’t have to talk about this yet if you’re not ready. But if you are, I’m here and willing to listen.”

It was only a matter of seconds before Flicker’s sobs became more audible. Once again, he couldn’t do anything but cry. He felt so weak and helpless and annoying, and he wished he could stop crying, but the distress swelling inside him was just too intense for the little bot to hide it anymore.

Flicker could hear Skysiren shifting in place, but only after feeling the comforting touch in his back, the bot dared to peer up remorsefully. ”I-I’m-mh-h-” he tried to apologize for his dishonesty, but his words got swallowed by another fit of sobs. He nodded almost exaggeratedly to Skysiren’s request to pick him up; the young mech wanted to be held close and comforted, and he wanted to make sure Skysiren understood he wouldn’t reject her.

When Skysiren spoke, it was almost as if she’d read his thoughts. Flicker knew how transparent he was, but it still surprised him just how well the femme could see through his attempt to avoid causing any more concern. He hadn’t even thought how much he’d worried others while he tried not to worry them, because he’d been so worried of worrying them… Oh Primus.

The hug and soothing words were very needed, maybe more than Skysiren could even guess. When she looked at Flicker, he kept wiping his teary optics with his servos, but he didn’t hide his faceplate from Skysiren anymore. He’d been hiding long enough. It was finally time to be open and honest.

His stuttering gave her pause. Flicker usually only stuttered that badly when he was exceptionally nervous talking about something, and if it was something that frightened him this badly Skysiren wasn’t sure if they were ready for it yet. He did his best to soldier through it, and when he finally said what he meant to say it was almost too quiet for her to hear. 

But she did.

Her fans nearly stalled at the mention of his “carrier”. She still forgot just how young Flicker was sometimes. But the fact that mentioning his carrier sent him into near hysterics lit a fire in her spirit, something fierce yet gentle, and she held him close to her spark yet again as she attempted to reassure him. “It’s ok dear, it’s ok, I’m right here, it’s alright. You’re safe here, everything’s alright.”