Mirages holoform is silent, staring at the man laying in the hospital bed, bandages around his head. his face was bruised up and he had yet to regain consciousness. he's been out for nearly 2 days. Mirage reaches over and gently brushes the little bit of hair sticking out of Noahs bandages. Kris and Brianna are sleeping in a chair nearby. Kris knows exactly who Mirage is, but their mother thinks Mirages holoform, Marco, is a GI Joe and Noahs boyfriend.

no one had ever meant for this to happen. Mirage, Bumblebee, and Arcee were always careful when Noah, or Joes, were around. Optimus was generally pretty careful, but really only towards Noah. Noah had proved himself worthy of trust, other humans had not.

they'd all been in the warehouse, chatting. Noah had just finished building Mirage 6 weeks ago, so the Autobots were enjoying the younger bots energetic presence. it had just been Arcee, Bumblebee, and Mirage, along with Noah horsing around in the warehouse, Optimus had been out.

Optimus had rolled in rather quickly, not paying attention, and transformed. no one had a chance to move. the Prime certainly never meant to hurt Noah, it would never be is intention. he hadn't meant to catch Noah in the head with a sharp edge of his armor, slashing open the mans forehead. he hadn't meant to smack Noah across the warehouse with enough force to bruise his face, leaving indentations from his armor imprinted on the mans fleshy face. he hadn't meant for Noah to go flying through nearby boxes and slam hard against the wall before slumping to the floor, busted his head open on the wall and slashing his back open on exposed screws and nails. he hadn't meant to hit the man so hard he broke two ribs, he hadn't meant to hit him at all.

Optimus hadn't been paying attention. he'd recieved word that Ratchet had landed in Peru and Stratusphere was headed to get him. he'd simply overlooked Noah on accident.

Mirage heaves a quiet sigh through his nose, watching Noah lay in the hospital bed unconscious and unmoving was awful. his face was black and blue with a huge mark across his face from the Primes transformation seam, along with other details from his armor, both of Noahs eyes are swollen shut, the bandages around his head are bloody and covering his stitches. his neck is in a brace and bruised, his ribs wrapped tightly to prevent more damage.

the silver haired holoform is holding Noahs hand tightly, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of it, like he'd seen Brianna do.

"you're gonna be okay Noah." Mirage says softly. Noah moans quietly, not unusual for him. he moaned or groan occasionally in his unconscious state. what gets Mirages attention is when Noahs hand tightens around Mirages.

"¿mamá? ¿Eres tu? me duele la cabeza." Noah murmurs. the tension melts from Mirages form immediately.

"Noah?" Mirage asks softly. Noah looks confused.

"'Raj?" Noah ask.

"yeah partner, its me." Mirage murmurs. Noahs left eye opens just slightly and his brown eye glances over at Mirage.

"wha happen?" Noah mumbles. Mirage clears his throat slightly and shifts in his chair.

"Prime got too close to you when he transformed. he knocked you pretty good with his arm. hurt you pretty badly." Mirage says.

Mirage had immediately blown up on Optimus, screaming at him while running over to Noah. "NOAH! WHAT THE FUCK PRIME!? WHAT DID YOU DO!?" he'd ranted at the Prime in Cybertronian while he dug Noah out of the debris, carefully scooping him up. he'd ignore the blood covering his armor and Optimus' immediate apology, and transformed around Noah.

he had yet to talk to the other Autobots, shutting his com off and ignore Optimus' and others attempts to reach out. Ratchet wanted him back at the base to look over him, but Mirage didn't care.

"my head hurts." Noah mumbles.

"you've got a concussion and your face is all bruised up." Mirage says softly, reaching his free hand up to gentle caress Noahs cheek. Noah winces immediately, whimpering softly. Mirages hand yanks back quickly. "sorry, sorry." Mirage murmurs quietly.

"¿Noé? bebe eres tu?" Brianna mumbles, sitting up.

"he's awake." Mirage says, moving carefully as Brianna walks over.

"oh! Noah!" Brianna exclaims, running over to him. she takes his free hand gently. "oh baby when we got the call from the Joe's we were so worried." Brianna murmurs, squeezing his hand gently. Noah winces and mumbles to himself.

"can I go home?" Noah asks.

"not yet, mi hijo. you have to be here a few days, okay?" Brianna asks. Noah winces.

"we can't afford that." Noah mumbles.

"the Joe's are covering it." Mirage says immediately. "its okay." he adds.

"mamá how long have you been here? you should go home and rest in your bed." Noah murmurs.

"I can't leave you here mi hijo." Brianna murmurs.

"please mamá, take Kris home. these chairs, they're not good for either of you. go I'll be alright. I've got Marco." Noah mumbles.

"I can drive you two home." Marco offers. Brianna frowns a little.

"por favor mamá? go get good rest." Noah says softly. Brianna seems hesitant.

"okay... but we will be back in the morning." Brianna frowns.

"okay." Noah murmurs.

"and we'll be walking, I don't want Noah left alone for too long." Brianna frowns.

"I can contact a friend to take you home if you'd like." Mirage offers. she shakes her head.

"we'll be alright." Brianna assures. "just promise me you won't leave him. stay with him until we get back, plesae?" Brianna asks, looking at Mirage.

"yes ma'am. promise. I won't leave his side." Mirage assures gently. she nods and reaches over to gently wake Kris.

"mi hijo, come on." Brianna murmurs.Kris shifts and looks at her confused.

"whats goin' on? is Noah okay?" Kris asks.

"we're going home." Brianna murmurs softly. she looks over at Noah, who is watching her and Kris.

"Noah! you're awake!" Kris grins, jumping up and running over.

"easy Kris...." Noah mumbles.

"don't be shoutin' Noahs probably got a pretty bad headache." Mirage murmurs.

"go home an be good." Noah says.

"no way I wanna stay up here with you." Kris glaresw at him.

"no way bro, y'need to go home okay? you can come back later." Noah mumbles. Kris frowns. "go home, make sure ma eas and take care of her while I can't." Noah mumbles softly. Kris nods a little.

"okay." Kris mumbles. he holds his frist out and fist buumps Noah, though he notes his brothers is weaker. "we'll be back later though right?" Kris asks, looking at his mother.

"yes. we will." Brianna assures. Kris nods and lets his mother lead him out.

Mirage and Noah sit quietly for a few moments, before Noah looks over at Mirage.

"'Raj?" Noah manages.

"yeah? whats up? you need something? you okay?" Mirage asks, nervously.

"you're squeezing my hand a little tight." Noah murmurs. Mirage immediately loosens his grip.

"sorry. I'm so sorry Noah." Mirage murmurs.

"s-so what happened?" Noah asks.

"Prime transformed and smacked you when he did it. he didn't mean to, but it sent you flying back across the warehouse." Mirage murmurs.

"explains why I feel like I was run over by a truck. I kinda was." Noah mumbles. Mirage cracks a smile. "have you talked to any of them?" Noah asks. Mirage frowns looking away. "'Raj?" Noah frowns.

"I let Bee and Arcee know that you woke up. I haven't talked to Prime... he's been trying but I refused... you know how he feels about humans. everyone else has been watching their step, even Arcee, because even though she doesn't like humans, she doesn't want to hurt you. she wouldn't hurt a human if she didn't have to." Mirage frowns. "and Bumblebee, he would actually rather die than hurt a human. that Charlie girl made him change his mind. he loves both you and Charlie." Mirage murmurs.

"and Optimus?" Noah mumbles. Mirage frowns slightly.

"Prime still doesn't like humans, he's only tollerant of you because, one you faught with us, two you save him, three you rebuilt me, and four...." Mirage trails. Noah looks confused, watching him.

"and four?" Noah asks after a quiet moment.

"I told him that if you weren't around, he could say goodbye to me because I'd rather stay here, on Earth, living in your garage forever than go back to Cybertron. that if he didn't allow me to stay with you, I'd leave the Autobots and would only come to their aid in dire situations." Mirage mumbles.

"Mirage!" Noah hisses. its quiet and doesn't hold the emotions Noah wants it to, becauswe his lungs hurt so bad he can't force it out. "you don't need to give up your-" Noah starts.

"I'm not giving up anything. I'm chosing you over Cybertron... its been thousands of years of war Noah, thousands. I'm tired. I don't want to fight anymore. I'm done." Mirage murmurs. Noah frowns silently for a few minutes before he catches a glance outside the room.

"Bumblebee?" Noah asks, confused. the word doesn't slip off his tongue easily, it feels foreign, like he's not sure if thats the persons name or not.

"what? no. its me. Mirage." Mirage says, holoform looking utterly confused. there's the sound of a throat clearing behind him and Mirage turns. a man and a woman are standing behind him, in the edge of the doorway. their blue eyes give away the fact they're holoforms. "Bee? Arcee?" Mirage asks.

"hey, hope you don't mind we stopped by." Arcee says. Bumblebee waves smiling. "we wanted to check on Noah." Arcee adds.

"uh, yeah, c'mon in." Mirage says, shifting. he's nervously hoping they didn't hear the words he's just expressed, the conversation had been held between Mirage and Optimus, no one else knew as far as he was aware. Arcee and Bumblebee walk into the room happily, smiling. Bumblebee waves at Noah.

"hey Bee." Noah mumbles.

"you okay?" Arcee asks, watching Noah.

"I don't remember what happened an, m'sore, but I'm alive." Noah mumbles.

"Prime was beginning to worry since Mirage wouldn't answer." Arcee frowns.

"leave'em alone. he's been takin' care of m'brother and m'mom." Noah mumbles. "they been here the whole time an they been worried." Noah adds.

"so have we." Arcee assures. "well, been worried that is. Bumblebee was stationed outside your building, he waited for them to get home before leaving. I've been just down the road incase anything happened. Optimus has been running patrosl by himself so we could be out here and wait for you." Arcee assures. Noah blinks at her, wincing a little.

"you..." Noah trails blinking. its quiet a moment. "you talk too fast. I can keep up." Noah mutters, shifting. Bumblebee snorts, grinning at Arcee. the woman sighs a little.

"the point is," Arcee says, speaking slightly slower. "we've been worried about you and Mirage wasn't answering."Arcee frowns, glaring over at Mirage.

"'scuse me for focusing on Noah and his family." Mirage grumbles to himself. Noah grives a small smile.

"Ratchet still wants to look you over." Arcee frowns.

"who?" Noah asks, confused.

"I haven't told him that part of the story yet. we were just getting there when you guys walked in." Mirage frowns. he looks over at Noah. "a Cybertronian Medic." Mirage murmurs.

"go. you need to be checked out by a professional." Noah mumbles.

"I'm not leaving you here alone." Mirage frowns.

"I can stay here." Arcee says. "or Bumblebee could." Arcee adds.

"no. not happening. I'm not leaving." Mirage glares. Noah winces.

"'Raj, don' argue. I'll be fine. m'jus' goin' back t' sleep." Noah mutters, closing his eye.

"I promised your mother." Mirage frowns.

"m'okay 'Raj. its not forever. you'll be back before they are." Noah assures gently. Mirage frowns.

"there's no gurantee in that. Ratchet might keep me." Mirage frowns.

"he won't do that. he'll check you over, make necessary fixes and repairs, then send you back over. Optimus made him promise." Arcee assures. Mirage frowns at her.

"go 'Raj." Noah says as firmly as he can. its not very firm at all, it comes out shaky and weak, but it has the desired affect.

"okay. I'll go, but I'm coming back as fast as I can." Mirage frowns. Noah gives him a weak smile, not opening his eye.

"good, m'gonna sleep." Noah mumbles. Mirage nods and lets go of his hand, getting up.

"alright." Mirage murmurs, hesitantly heading out of the room.

"I will contact you if anything changes." Arcee assures. Mirage nods, frowning. Bumblebee's holoform waves, heading out of the room with him. Arcee sits next to Noah silently. her presence is comforting, she as a calming arura around her, but Noah still perfers Mirage. "what all did Mirage tell you?" Arcee ask. Noah shifts.

"that Prime hit me while transformin; an I flew 'cross the warehouse." Noah mutters. Arcee nods.

"well, Ratchet landed in Peru with Wheeljack, he was busy fixing him for a bit but when he finished he got in contact with Optimus, who sent Stratusphere to go get him. he was letting us know of Ratchets arrival and didn't see you standing there. it was what humans refer to as, I think, a freak accident. you were right saying we should fix the lights in there so we could see better." Arcee explains. its quiet a moment while the human processes her words. "I know Mirage probably made it seem like it was on purpose, but it wasn't. it was an accident." Arcee assures.

"I know." Noah mumbles. "Prime doesn't like me but he wouldn't try to kill me, not on purpose..." Noah frowns. "m'gonna get some sleep 'Cee." Noah murmurs. Arcee nods and goes quiet.

its only quiet for about an hour, before a bigger man walks into the room. he clears his throat and Arcee looks over.

"hey, Optimus, Noah went back to sleep." Arcee says, nodding at her Prime. Optimus' holoform nods at her, walking over. "Mirageis still pretty pissed, but Noah seems to understand it was an accident." Arcee frowns.

"an accident that wouldn't have happened if I have listened to Noah when he insisted on putting new lights in." Optimus frowns.

"s'kay." Noah mutters, opening his eye. he looks over at Optimus. he winces a little.

"as I'm sure you've been told by this point, I am sorry. I never should've allowed this to happen and I'm very sorry." Optimus murmurs. Noah nods the best he can.

"no, s'okay Prime. s'alright. accidents happen. I was standin' in your way." Noah mumbles.

"Noah, this was not your fault. this was all mine. I apologise. I would never hurt you on purpose. I should have paid better attention." Optimus frowns.

"no, m'okay. just need a few days to recover. I'll be alright." Noah assures gently. "but y'should go before 'Raj gets back. he's still pretty pissed." Noah mutters. Optimus nods.

"I didn't come to stay long, I just wanted to check on you. Mirage wasn't answering my coms.I was worried something had happened with you." Optimus frowns. Noah nods the best he can.

"m'good. trust me you would've known if somethin' had. Mirage would've been screaming." Noah assures. Optimus chuckles softly and his holoform fizzles out.

its almost two weeks later when Noahs finally released and sent home, where his mother send him straight to his room.

Noah lays quietly in his bed, its past 10 PM and Kris had left with his video game nearly four hours ago. Noah heaves a sigh, laying on his bed. there's a light tap at the window and Noah lifts his head. thankfully they'd removed his neck brace. he smiles a little, watching the window slide open.

"Noah?" Mirage calls.

"c'mon in 'Raj." Noah murmurs. after a moment, Mirage climbs in the window, using his shrunken form. it barely fits in the room, standing at 7'2, but Mirage doesn't care. he hasn't been able to come see Noah in two days.

"you okay?" Mirage asks.

"m'good." Noah murmurs.

"sorry I haven't been out here." Mirage murmurs.

"no it was about time you went and checked in with the others, even if you're still not talking to Optimus." Noah mumbles, he scoots over on the bed. "come lay with me?" Noah mumbles. Mirage nods and carefully climbs up with him, wedging himself between Noah and the wall.

"of course." Mirage smiles. he wraps his arms carefully around his injured partner.

"stay wit' me?" Noah asks.

"of course. as long as I can." Mirage assures, cuddling him. he pulls Noah to his chest, kissing the top of his head. the cool metal of his body soothes some of Noahs aches and he settles happily into the mechs arms, finally letting his eyes close. he can finally rest with Mirage here.