#runningway

Up, up, down, down, left, right, and another left, or was it up, up, left, left, right, down? No, it was probably down, up, left, left, right and through that weirdly shaped vent opening that looked like the gaping maws of a monster ready to chew on a delicious Cybertronian.

Yes! That was the correct way, but considering Phoenix was a little bit lost at the moment, he couldn’t make out the right way to the engine room, let alone find the way back to where he first entered the vents. But, considering the way the right wall was bent and the small dried smear of pink paint next to him, Phoenix was on the right way back to his and his brother’s room. Which wasn’t ‘bad’, per say, but it would mean that he couldn’t get to the showers without alerting his brother. Something Phoenix really didn’t want to do. His brother was already on edge ever since Second Fiddle told them about his next ‘hunt’, and it only grew worse with each day. He doesn’t want to imagine how worried his brother must be right now…

“Maybe I really should go to our room…” Muttered the youngling, before letting out a sigh and making his way down the vent leading to his and his brothers room. Although, you couldn’t really call it a room. It’s way too small for two growing fliers to comfortably live in, let alone stretch their wings. And then there was the problem with the door… but at least they had a comfortable berth. That was something, right? It must be something, because that was the only comfortable thing they had.

Either way, with one last turn, a swift kick against the vent cover and a small drop, Phoenix was back in their room. Startling his brother, who was studying some of the data-pads Fools Shot gave them.

“Why don’t you ever use the door?” Muttered the blue and white youngling, as he placed his data-pad down and got up. Grabbing two boxes, each one labeled with ‘First-Aid-Kit’ and ‘Bait-Paint-Removing-Kit’. “Is it because of the door? I told you not to booby-trap it. Runningway nearly blew a fuse yesterday…”

“And that’s WHY we need a booby-trapped door Snow. It keeps mechs like Runningway, well, away. Remember last time he barged in? He forcefully dragged you out by your feet and when you tried to resist, he did what exactly?” The only answer Phoenix got from his brother was a quiet mumble, which was even more uninterpretable because Snow refused to look at him. “Hm? What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”

“He… He hit me…”

“Yes, he hit you hard enough that it left dents!” Exclaimed Phoenix angrily, as he carefully placed both of his servos against Snow’s cheeks, turning his head, so that he could look into his brother’s red optics. “Snow, why do you think I booby-trap the door? It’s to keep you safe.” He said with a softer tone and expression as the one he had a second ago. “And if it means I have to use the vents to enter my own room, then so be it.” Phoenix smiled at his brother, before softly bonking their heads together. “Come on now. How about a smile? I bet one of those idiots decided to be a boob and set off my genius trap. I bet they couldn’t escape the paint bucket, or the feathers. And I bet they didn’t expect the trip wire, which would set off the glitter bomb I made.”

“They… didn’t really see it coming…” Muttered Snow quietly while taking a step back to get his brother’s hands away from his face. “But I can tell you, while we’re getting off that awful paint job. Yellow isn’t really your color…”

“I know! And this ugly light red. Ugh, I hate it! It’s too tacky! Like, what kind of mech willingly has these colors? They surely must have something wrong with their processor if they think this looks good.” Phoenix said, before pointing to his wings. “ALSO! Really, yellow wings? Why not paint a target on my back and call it a day? Do you know how hard it is to hide, when your wings are as yellow as these?!” The complaints kept on coming, even when the two brothers were on their way towards the showers. But Phoenix mostly said them, because it got him a chuckle from Snow. And seeing his brother smile or laugh was one of the only things that made Phoenix happy on this Primus forsaken ship. That, and getting to hang out with Old Man or Fools Shot. Or getting Fix It to agree to some target practice. Other than that, there wasn’t much that made Phoenix happy. Not anymore, at least.

The second they were in the showers though, Snow’s smile dropped and he got that same look their mother would have, whenever it was time for them to take a shower, or clean their room. It got a chuckle from Phoenix as both of them moved towards the back of the showers, and as soon as they were in and the shower was on, Snow opened the cleaning kit and handed his brother one of the rags. Grabbing one himself afterwards and started cleaning Phoenix’s wings, while Phoenix himself started with his arms. Sending a small ‘thank you’ to Primus, because Second Fiddle actually listened to his suggestion and didn’t use the hard to clean paint this time.

And while they worked on getting even the smallest trace of tacky paint from Phoenix’s body, the two brothers were quiet. With Snow being too engrossed in his work, while Phoenix was lost in his thoughts. How long will it take, until Fools Shot notices that his co-captain and some of his crew were going against his back? How long until he found out about the Autobot hunts? And how long until Second Fiddle grew tired and got rid of them? Well, he wouldn’t make both of them ‘disappear’, that’s for sure. He needed bait after all, which means that one of them would always be safe… or at least safe enough so that they wouldn’t try too much… Phoenix just hoped that it would be Snow.

Despite everything Second Fiddle and Runningway have done to them, and the treatment of the crew that are complete afts, Phoenix still hoped they wouldn’t get rid of Snow. His brother still had his whole life ahead of him. His dream of becoming a medic and helping others is still there, and it’s not like Phoenix had any. Yes, he was learning things he found interesting, but ever since they started their ‘adventure’, as Second Fiddle called it, Phoenix learned that dreams don’t get you far. They only slow you down, or disappear as soon as they come.

There was a time when Phoenix wanted to become a medic too. Snow and him even made jokes about how they would work together one day, but now? Now those dreams have long gone down the drain, and no new one has come after them. It’s why Phoenix has become so protective of Snow. His brother hasn’t had his dreams shattered, despite everything. He’s still hopeful, innocent and naive, while he has become the complete opposite. One of them had to grow up after all. And with Snow being, well, Snow, and him being the older twin, it was clear who had to look out for the other.

Sometimes though, Phoenix wished things would go back to how they were. When both of them were still younglings running around in their homes and pretending to be adventurers with their father, or helping their mother in her bakery. Those were the times neither of them knew how cruel life truly was, and even now, Snow was still holding onto the belief that life wasn’t all that bad and that there was good in everyone… And that made Phoenix’s blood boil, because it made it easier for mechs like Second Fiddle to take advantage of his brother.

“You’re angry.” It wasn’t a question, Snow could feel the anger in his brother’s field and see him clench his fists. “I… I don’t know why you would be angry… but… but if it’s because of me, I’m sorry… I don’t know what I’ve done, but I’m sorry.” Phoenix only gave a shake of the head as an answer, before they went back to cleaning. Finishing off rather quickly, before storing everything back into the kit and exciting the shower. And after that, and drying off, Snow started to give Phoenix a small look over, in case there were any wounds. But all he found were small scratches, which he still took care of, because you can never know if they wouldn’t cause more damage in the future.

And after that was taken care of, the two gathered their belongings before exiting the showers. Taking the quick route back to their room, because Phoenix didn’t want anyone from the ‘hunting party’ to bother them. Something Snow could understand, but at the same time, he was hoping to see Fools Shot. Maybe even visit Old Man in the engine room and bring him some of the energon cookies he made.

Although, as soon as they were close to their room, Snow was stopped in his tracks by Phoenix’s arm holding him back and a low, threatening, rumbling coming from his brother.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Phoenixes running around and having fun.” Said none other than the ship’s very own aft, Runningway. “And look at you Red, already gotten rid of your new paint job? And here I thought you would like it.”

“Piss off Runningway, we don’t want to see your sorry face around here!” Growled Phoenix in return. Which only got a laugh from Runningway, and his two friends that came up behind the two younglings.

“Oh Red, you know how much Second Fiddle hates your potty mouth. It’s not becoming of a youngling like you to use such words…” Runningways’s smile grew more sinister with each step he took towards the two brothers, but as Phoenix made an attempt to grab Snow and make a run for their room, the other two mechs bounced. Grabbing the thrashing youngling and holding him back, while Runningway grabbed Snow. Slinging an arm around the younger mech with a grin, as Snow froze up in fear. “Also, you really shouldn’t push your luck. We’re already mad at you for ruining our hunt, and I’m sure that you wouldn’t want a punishment for that. And even if, I’m sure Snow would LOVE to help out with it.”

While Snow was frozen just a moment ago, his whole frame started to shake as Runningway’s arm was no-longer slung around his shoulders, but rather his neck. Which might have looked like a playful gesture, but Phoenix and Snow knew what it truly was. A threat, a promise and it took all of Phoenix’s willpower not to start screaming bloody murder as Runningway started to choke Snow. And he didn’t even stop as the younger twin started to claw and scratch at his arm.

No, Runningway only squeezed harder, while smiling as if he wasn’t currently harming Snow. And Phoenix tried hard to get out of the other two mech’s grip to claw Runningway’s optics out, or bite him until he bled, maybe both. Yes, definitely both. But even if he wanted to harm the racer, he couldn’t. Not when it meant Snow would be harmed. So, Phoenix stopped struggling and lowered his head down to look at the ground. Mumbling a small ‘Sorry’, which he didn’t mean one bit.

And Runningway could tell that, but he made no attempt to call Phoenix out on it. Instead, he tightened his grip on Snow, until the youngling was close to passing out. Only then did he let go, watching Snow drop down like a sack of galaxy potatoes, before motioning his friends to do the same. “Remember this Red when you think about insulting me next time.” Was all the racer said, before walking off. Followed by his friends.

Phoenix watched them leave, and as soon as he was sure they wouldn’t come back, he quickly scooted over to Snow. Checking if he was okay, before carefully helping his brother back up on his feet, and together they quickly entered their room. And while Phoenix made sure that the door was prepped to chase off anyone trying to get in, Snow made his way over to their berth and curled up underneath their blankets. Only then, when he was under the safety of their blankets, did Snow start to cry.

And as soon as Phoenix was done, he was quick to rush over to his brother. Getting under the covers and wrapping his arms around Snow. Pulling him as close as he could, while muttering calming words in the hopes that they would help his brother. And it seemed to work. Snow grew calmer, until his cries were nothing more than quiet sobs, until they stopped completely.

“Snow?” Asked Phoenix, as he looked down at his brother, before letting out a soft laugh. "Seriously? Falling asleep?… I can’t blame you… Dealing with that aft leaves me even exhausted…” Muttered the black and red youngling, as he softly ran a servo over his brother’s head. Watching Snow snuggle closer to him, before closing his own optics. A little nap doesn’t sound all that bad, not after a day like this.