it had started out, to Ironhide, as an instinct. the sparklings had started pulling themselves into standing positions weeks ago, while Reflect was busy studying with Ratchet in the medbay. Ironhide and Reflect, not to mention the rest of the base, had been ecstatic.

the problem had started last week. Reflect was studying in the medbay while Ironhide was in the rec room with the sparklings. Ironhide sat himself in the floor to play with his sparklings. Echo happily crawling around while Remix was pulling himself up on Ironhide's armor. Ironhide watching them carefully, refusing to take his optics off them for even a second, Reflect would kill him if something happened to the sparklings and there was an open vent not 30 feet away, he couldn't risk the sparklings crawling in there. he'd turned just slightly to reach out and grab Echos leg, gently, to pull her back over to him, when Remix attempted to take his first step. Ironhide hadn't thought, he'd simply reached out and gently knocked the sparkling over. Reflect would be crushed if he missed either of their first steps. Ironhide never even thought about it, just knocked the sparkling over carefully and scooped him up.

it had started out as instinct and had quickly turned into a multiple times a day event. anyone who happened to notice the sparklings attempting to walk without both their creators in the room, immediately stepped into action. the sparklings were either gently knocked down or scooped up to prevent it. Ironhide still had patrols and Reflect still had months of training left and were almost never in the same room at the same time, unless it was time for rest. Optimus had graciously swapped Ironhide to dayshift patrol, so he could at least spend nights with his family.

Reflect sighs slightly, walking into the rec room, a datapad in servo. between his medical training with Ratchet and the invention training with Wheeljack, he was exhausted. he almost immediately smiles, hearing a happy squeal from his son. both sparklings are sitting in the floor with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, crawling around. Remix screams excitedly, barreling over to Reflect as fast as he can, Echo following behind. Echo had started actually crawling almost two weeks ago and was much faster now.

"hey guys." Reflect chuckles, scooping them up gently. Remix squeals happily, cuddling his carrier. Echo giggles, little engine purring happily. Reflect laughs, hugging them both tightly. "oh my sweet sparks, I've missed you too." Reflect murmurs softly, kissing their heads gently.

"you done for the day?" Sunstreaker asks, smiling at him slightly. Reflect nods at him.

"yeah, Ratchet and Wheeljack are working on a project so, I got to leave for the day. a little earlier than normal." Reflect snorts, shifting the sparklings. Remix immediately hugs his neck, giggling, while Echo squeals, cuddling up to his chest. Reflect chuckles softly at his sparklings, before glancing back up at Sunstreaker. "which is fine with me. I love the training and all, but its nice to spend time with my sparklings." Reflect chuckles, squeezing them gently. he smiles down at them happily. "thanks for watching them guys." Reflect adds, looking back over at Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

"no problem, we love these little guys." Sunstreaker smiles. Sideswipe nods.

"yeah, no problem, but Sunny and I have patrol tomorrow, so we can't watch them." Sideswipe frowns. Reflect nods slightly.

"no no, thats fine, I'll find someone to watch them, don't worry about it. thanks." Reflect assures, walking off to get himself a cube.

the twins are busy tomorrow, any ideas for who can watch the sparklings?

Reflect grabs himself a cube and sits down to drink it while holding the sparklings.

not unless you want to take them to the medbay with you. didn't Ratchet offer that as an option?

do you really think either of us would get any work done with the sparklings in the medbay?

probably not. what about Wheeljack?

nah, Jacks working on another upgrade on Echos optics.

Hound?

he hasn't watched them since he lost them both in the vents.

Barricade?

Frenzy is still recovering from the last time he watched the sparklings.

Jazz?

Ironhide please stop and think about that a moment.

right.

Reflect rolls his optics and sips his cube.

"your creator is an idiot sometimes." Reflect snorts. Echo giggles at him and pats his faceplate. Reflect smiles at him, snorting.

ask Prime.

I can't ask Optimus to watch the sparklings.

the worst he can do is either say no or pull me off patrol, Reflect. he won't take offense to it. I can't tell you how many times I had to miss patrol or be replaced to help him with Bumblebee. he's a Prime, but he's still our friend.

well, I guess it can't hurt too bad. thanks Ironhide.

Reflect sighs softly and cuddles the sparklings gently.

"Uh, Optimus?"

"Reflect, is everything alright?"

"I just had a question for you. do you know of anyone who can watch the twins tomorrow? Ironhide and our usual sitters all have patrol and well, Frenzy is still bitter about being used as a sparkling toy. I'd ask Wheeljack but he's busy building Echo an upgrade, and well, you know why I can't ask Jazz..."

"Jazz is still refusing to see the twins?"

"he's slipped back into that 'why won't Prowl have sparklings with me?' stage. I don't know if the sparklings would be safe with him."

"I see, I'll find someone. don't worry. just drop them off with me in the morning and I'll take care of it."

"thanks! I really appreciate it!"

Reflect sighs in relief.

"well, at least we have a sitter for you two now." Reflect murmurs.

"sitters?" Bumblebee asks.

"yeah I had to find someone to watch them tomorrow, but thankfully, Optimus is gonna find someone." Reflect murmurs, looking up at him.

"I can watch them." Bumblebee offers.

"aren't you going to Sams house tomorrow? I thought you were helping his parents move?" Reflect ask.

"I can take them with me." Bumblebee smiles.

"pass. thanks Bee, but no thanks. my sparklings are not leaving this base without me." Reflect frowns. Bumblebee pouts.

"awww, but I'd keep them safe, I promise." Bumblebee pouts.

"I don't doubt that, but its not happening." Reflect frowns. "Bumblebee I trust you with my life, and don't get me wrong I trust you to keep them safe. I trust you with their lives as does Ironhide, but... its different off base. anything can happen while you're heading to Sams house and.. I can only teleport out there so fast...." Reflect trails. his shoulders fall, looking at his sparklings. "the last time I wasn't there for my kid... Annie died. I won't make that mistake twice." Reflect adds softly. Bumblebee nods, smiling slightly at the twins.

"I get it, you don't have to explain it to me Reflect. we were there when Will lost Annie and spiraled a little. no one would ever want you to go through that again, just take it easy alright? I will never take the sparklings anywhere without yours and Ironhides permissions, especially yours." Bumblebee soothes gently, before walking off. Reflect watches his sparklings with a sigh.

you okay Reflect?

not really. Bumblebee thinks I don't trust him with the sparklings.

huh? what do you mean?

he ask if he could take the twins to Sams house and I said no because I couldn't risk losing them like I lost Annie and he said he understood but... I think he thinks I don't trust him. but you know its not like that Hide, its really not. I do trust him, its not like I don't, I know he'd keep them safe, but like anything could happen at anytime and there's really only so fast we could get to the sparklings if something did happen, but like there's no guarantee we'd be able to get there in time to stop anything from happening and they could-

REFLECT.

Reflect goes quiet. he hadn't meant to ramble like that, he was just anxious and nervous. its silent over the bond for a few minutes.

sorry. just forget it. I was overreacting anyway, just go back to your patrol.

Reflect blocks his side before Ironhide could answer, feeling embarrassed and ashamed.

"what happened to me guys? I never rambled like that when I was Will." Reflect mutters softly. Remix chirps, leaning forward to hug his carriers chest, whimpering softly. Echo does the same. Reflect smiles slightly, hugging them both tightly.

"blocking me on our bond, won't stop me. Bumblebee isn't an idiot, Reflect. he knows you trust him, but he also knows you're scared of our sparklings getting hurt or offlined. its okay, just breathe. don't get worked up over this, alright?"

"okay."

"don't do that. don't just 'okay' me. take it easy. he might pout a little bit, but its mostly because he can't stay on base with the sparklings, he has to leave. he knows you trust him."

"okay, thanks Hide."

Reflect finishes off his cube and cuddles his sparklings.

"have they started walking yet?" a voice asks. Reflect jerks, looking down. Cade watches him.

"holy shit." Reflect mutters, dropping his head back.

"sorry. didn't mean to startle you." Cade says.

"its alright, sorry. I was talking with Ironhide, I got a little distracted. what are you doing back? weren't you visiting Tessa?" Reflect asks, shifting.

"oh yeah. it was nice. saw that Noah kid there. he's still a nervous wreck, but he's getting it together out there. Tessa is doing great too. she's... she's so smart." Cade smiles slightly. Reflect smiles, nodding.

"thats great. you said you saw Noah? I thought he got the majority of his classes moved to online so he could help with his brother?" Reflect ask.

"Mirage brought them down to visit him, something about his mother wanting to make sure he was absolutely focused on his school work." Cade shrugs. Reflect nods.

"and Mirage? how's he doing with Noah?" Reflect asks. Cade rolled his eyes.

"I think he's enrolled his holoform into college. his holoform is Noahs on ground live in roommate. Noah hates that but is grateful he doesn't have to worry about the anxiety of having a roommate." Cade shrugs. Reflect looks confused.

"Mirage is taking college classes?" Reflect ask. Cade nods. Reflect shakes his head. "alright, y'know what? whatever. if thats what it takes to get him to be Noahs guardian, let him go to college." Reflect shrugs, snorting. Cade snorts and nods.

"from what I hear, Marco is doing great and Noah said that Mirage taking the class with him, helps ensure he understands all the material." Cade chuckles.

"Marco, is that what he's calling himself?" Reflect snorts. Cade nods, snorting.

"Marco Yeager, because he didn't realize he needed a last name. so Tessa told the school he was her brother." Cade mutters, rolling his eyes. Reflect chuckles softly.

"well at least he's attempting to fit in. we told Bumblebee he could attend college with Sam, but he didn't really like the idea. he likes being able to pop in occasionally, but doesn't want to be full time." Reflect snorts.

"wow, not even alien robots like school. speaking of, how are your lessons with Ratchet and Wheeljack?" Cade asks, smirking.

"not bad. thankfully I know have the same processing units as the others so I can download the datapads and basically review them in recharge. it drives me nuts but it helps me learn. the twins'll be at least a year old before I'm ready to even start actually helping in the medbay. thankfully I haven't had to bring the sparklings yet, thankfully. I know Ratchet wouldn't mind but I don't think we'd get anything done." Reflect snorts.

"kid, need you in the medbay real quick."

"be right there Ratchet."

"sorry Cade, duty calls. Ratchet needs me in the medbay." Reflect frowns. he carries the sparklings down to the medbay and sighs.

Reflect pushes the medbay doors open and frowns.

"uh, had to bring the squirts, I already relieved their sitter." Reflect says. "what are you two doing?" Reflect asks, watching them. Wheeljack looks sheepish.

"uh... I had a bomb explode and well, my glue kinda exploded everywhere. well Ratchet picked me up and now we're stuck." Wheeljack says, laughing nervously. Ratchet looks annoyed. Reflect chuckles, sitting the sparklings on the berth.

"okay okay. where's the solvent?" Reflect ask.

"in the lab. its on a shelf clearly labeled as glue solvent." Wheeljack says. Reflect nods. he turns to his sparklings.

"you two stay here, don't you dare go anywhere, there will be hell to pay." Reflect warns. Remix giggles. Reflect nods and heads out of the medbay. Ratchet stands awkwardly with Wheeljack. Remix chirps.

"just stay there Remix." Ratchet sighs. the sparkling giggles at him, little engine purring happily as he cuddles to his sister.

Reflect returns a few minutes later and carefully covers them in solvent.

"you two always end up in some kind of trouble, then you had the nerve to get annoyed at me for getting into trouble." Reflect snorts.

"we didn't get annoyed." Ratchet argues. Reflect frowns at him.

"how what about the time I glued Optimus to his office chair?" Reflect ask.

"no no, he's right. I got annoyed with that one." Wheeljack frowns. Reflect snorts and sits with his sparklings while Ratchet and Wheeljack separate as the solvent works its magic. he watches them pull themselves apart and clean themselves up.

"now sit the fuck down and let me work on you." Ratchet mutters.

"so what exactly happened?" Reflect asks.

"just a mishap in the lab." Wheeljack mutters as Ratchet works on him. Reflect rolls his optics, carefully wrapping a loose arm around Remix when he pulls himself up on Reflects armor.

"what time is Ironhide off tonight?" Ratchet ask.

"he gets off in about two hours." Reflect says, watching his sparkling bounce up and down happily. Echo attempts to pull herself up, nearly falling face forward into Reflects arm. "easy Echo." Reflect murmurs, helping her up. he holds her carefully, letting her play with his armor.

they sit for a few minutes before Reflect gets up with the sparklings.

"well, I'll see you tomorrow Ratchet." Reflect waves.

Reflect sits in his and Ironhides room with the sparklings happily, watching them crawling around the floor. Remix pulls himself back up on Reflects armor, giggling.

"I can't believe you two haven't startedd walking yet. I figured I'd have missed them by now." Reflect mutters, scooping Remix up gently. Echo giggles at him. "thats funny hmm?" Reflect chuckles softly. Echo squeals turning towards the door. "oh, I think creator got off duty early." Reflect chuckles, grinning. he looks up when the door flies open. Ironhide looks tired and annoyed. "look I fuond creator." Reflect snorts. Ironhide gives a half smile.

"hi." he mutters, letting the door shut.

"why did you get off early?" Reflect asks, confused.

"supposed t' storm, and Prime knows they don't like it when it storms, so he let me off to help you with them. its raining." Ironhide grumbles. Reflect chuckles, opening his mouth to say something back. he's cut off as Echo suddenly pops up and walks towards her creator, stumbles more accurately, but neither care. Ironhide crouches down smiling. they're both quiet until Echo gets to him, not wanting to startle her, but the moment she's withing range, Ironhide scoops her up.

"Echo! Echo you did it!" Reflect cheers, grabbing Remix and shooting up from the floor. Ironhide is just as excited.

"hell yeah." Ironhide grins, tossing the little sparkling up gently into the air. Echo squeals, giggling.

"oh Optimus is gonna have fun tomorrow. one crawls and one walks!" Reflect grins. Ironhide winces slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. he's mentally preparing for the shit storm he's expecting to happen.

"uh well, actually, they both walk." Ironhide frowns. Reflect looks confused.

"what?" Reflect asks confused. Ironhide frowns, looking away from his bondmate.

"um, I've been stopping Remix so you wouldn't miss it, but I have yet to see him actually take a step." Ironhide says, finally meeting his bondeds gaze again. Reflect looks horrified immediately.

"Ironhide!" Reflect chides, crouching to put Remix down on his little peds. "don't stop him, just record it for me." Reflect frowns. Remix bounces on his peds happily, before taking his own shaky step towards Ironhide. Ironhide crouches back down.

"come here." Ironhide murmurs. "I won't knock him over again. I just knew you'd be upset to miss it." Ironhide adds.

"don't hinder them because I'd miss it." Reflect murmurs, cheering immediately when Remix makes it to Ironhide and gets scooped up. he stands and smiles. "did you get those first steps towards you? I want those on the wall too." Reflect says.

"of course I got them." Ironhide assures. "I'll get them up on the wall here in a few days." Ironhide assures.

"they're walking Hide." Reflect pouts. the mech chuckles softly.

"yeah I know. I know." Ironhide murmurs, shifting the sparklings into one arm to pull Reflect close. "next they'll be talking." Ironhide adds.

"they better not be cursing as their first words." Reflect frowns.

"your first word was slagger. you can't judge." Ironhide snorts.

"mine was slagger because of Wheeljack." Reflect huffs. Ironhide chuckles softly, cuddling the sparklings. Reflect takes his sparklings.

"going to the rec room?" Ironhide asks. Reflect nods.

"yeah, I think everyone will be excited to see them walking." Reflect smiles. Ironhide nods and steps out of the room.

"needed a cube anyway." Ironhide murmurs. Reflect snatches the sparklings from his bondmate and carries them to the rec room, putting them on their peds once they get to the rec room.

"oh my god they're walking!" Sam grins from his position on Bumblebee's shoulder. Bumblebee looks over and grins. Reflect is crouched and carefully holding a sparkling servo in each of his own.

"easy, don't knock them down." Reflect says, letting go of the sparklings servos. Remix giggles taking a shaky step forward, but Echo whines.

"uh-oh, looks like its time for another optic update." Wheeljack murmurs, walking over to crouch in front of Echo. "hi little one." Wheeljack murmurs. Echo reaches out towards his face, chirping quietly.

"something she could see the outlines of bots and humans would be helpful." Reflect says, looking over at the inventor. "more useful than the soundwave thing..." Reflect adds frowning. Wheeljack nods.

"I'll do my best." Wheeljack assures gently. Reflect nods.

"thanks Jack." Reflect murmurs.

"don't walk into Sam, Remix. you'll hurt him." Ironhide warns, gently nudging the man away from his sparkling. "don't let them step on you Sam." Ironhide frowns.

"I'll certainly try not to." Sam frowns, stepping away from Remix. the sparkling giggles.

"oh no." Prowl sighs, walking into the rec room. he sighs, shaking his head.

"don't be like that Prowl." Ironhide warns.

"Ironhide I didn't know you as a sparkling and I'm grateful because I heard horrible stories. those stories mixed with personal experience with Reflect, yes Reflect I am aware you were not in control of you body thank you for once again reminding me, those two sparklings are going to make a mess of the base. moreso Echo than Remix. she's smart enough to know she gets treated differently because she's blind." Prowl frowns, watching as the femme toddles over to him. "Echo no, stay back." Prowl frowns, stepping out of her way.

"don't be like that. she likes you Prowl, which I didn't think was possiblel." Reflect smirks.

"funny, we used to say the same thing about you liking Ironhide." Prowl smirks at him.

"don't be a slagger, just pick up the sparkling. she wants you to hold her." Ironhide frowns.

"see and there is where we have a problem. she wants me to hold her but I do not want to hold her." Prowl says, heading around her to get himself a cube. Echo turns her head as though she's watching him walk away, with a whimper.

"come here Echo, its alright." Reflect murmurs, scooping her up. Echo lets out a small wail, curling against her carrier. "I know. I know. he's so mean." Reflect murmurs, glaring the TIC down. Prowl frowns at him. Reflects shit list is not a list he'd like to be on, but he doesn't like sparklings.

"are you sure she isn't confusing me for Barricade?" Prowl asks.

"I know she isn't, but thats fine. you don't have to care about her, or him, or either of them. I can't force you, but that doesn't mean I like it." Reflect scoffs, cradling Echo gently.

"oh, is Remix walking now?" Optimus asks, walking into the rec room. Remix giggles, toddling over to Optimus and throwing his little servos up.

"they both just started." Ironhide says, watching the Prime scoop up his son. Remix purrs happily, cuddling against Optimus happily.

"sorry Optimus, we didn't know they were gonna start walking." Reflect murmurs.

"never apologize for advancing sparklings Reflect. it is part of having sparklings." Optimus assures, smiling. "just drop them off in my office in the morning with their toys. the vent in my office doesn't open anymore, its been weilded shut. they're be perfectly safe with me. walking or not." Optimus assures gently. Reflect nods slightly.

"thanks Optimus and... good luck." Reflect murmurs. Optimus snorts.

~~~(little bonus section of the chapter)~~~~

Optimus looks up, smiling when his door opens. Reflects standing there in the doorway with a large box. Echo and Remix are standing at his feet, holding servos. the little femme is unsure where they're walking too and Remix surely followed his carrier.

"you sure you don't mind watching them today?" Reflect asks, hesitantly.

"of course." Optimus assures, standing up from his desk. he walks over at smiles at the two sparklings. "hello you two." Optimus smiles. both sparklings chirp, looking up at him. Reflect hands the box over to Optimus.

"um, all their toys are in here. uh, all seven of the little doll things and some stuff Jack made for them. um Remix's cubes are on the left side of the box he has to have the medical grade still, he's still having an issue keeping down regular sparkling grade." Reflect explains. "and Echo can have either the regular or the medical grade. trust me you don't want Remix having regular he'll purge all over your office, and-" Reflect starts.

"reflect, Reflect relax. its alright. I promise. I've watched sparklings before. you are included in that. I've watched your sparklings before. I know. I know you're nervous leaving them right after they started walking, you were the same when they started crawling, but its okay. you'll still be on base and if anything happens, I will call you or Ironhide or Ratchet. I promise." Optimus soothes gently, grasping the other mechs shoulder gently. "you don't have to worry. your sparklings are safe with me." Optimus adds. Reflect nods quietly.

"I just... Hot Rods been awful quiet lately.... I'm... I'm just scared." Reflect says softly.

"I will keep them safe. I promise." Optimus assures. Reflect nods slightly.

"thanks Optimus." Reflect murmurs. he crouchs down, looking at his sparklings. "you two be good for Optimus." Reflect says, kissing their heads. he heads out of Optimus office quickly before he changes his mind. his sparklings would be alright.

Optimus turns to the sparklings, both of which are staring at him.

"um... hello." Optimus smiles, setting the box down. Remix glances over him before pouting. he chirps at the Prime, before walking over to the door. he looks up at it with a whimper. "no no Remix, you have to stay here." Optimus says softly. Remix turns and glares at him, giving him Reflect famous glares, before wailing at loud as he can. Echo immediately starts screaming, unsure why her brother is upset, but not willing to let him be upset alone, and Optimus shoulders droop. its gonna be a long day.