You smiled as the young boy walking beside you talked on about his school day. 

It was a nice day out today. The temperature wasn't too hot and air too dry like most days here in Jasper. It was the perfect weather for a walk and you were utilising it. 

"Thanks for walking me home today (Y/N). I hope it wasn't too much trouble." Rafael said, trying to stray from stepping on any of the cracks in the sidewalk by hopping over them. 

'He's so innocent at times.'

"It's no trouble at all Raf. It's nice to get out for a bit and see Jasper again. For some reason I feel like this place changed since I...left." You trail off, not wanting to bring up the subject.

"You changed too," the brown-haired boy points out, "You're way more grown-up now." 

You smile, "That's because I am a grownup." It was true, you no longer fell into the group of insecure adolescents. "So, how are your tests going so far? Do we need to worry about getting too many A's?" 

The brunette pulls on his backpack's straps and fixes his glasses, "It's going really well. I just feel like I've been slacking a bit more lately due to helping the Autobots on missions...not that I don't like helping them! It's just, well..." 

"You don't feel like you're doing your best." You finish his sentence. He sighs out a "Yeah" and turns his attention to the cracks once again.

You reach Rafael's house. The boy shoots you a big smile and waves you goodbye as he enters and shuts the front door behind him. With a sigh, you decide that you were not ready to head back to base yet, and instead headed towards the stores to buy some things. 

Primus knows that the pranking twins used up all the toilet paper in their latest activity.

------------------------------------

The shops were quiet for the most part. You didn't have that much money on you at the moment, so you made a mental list of all the necessities you desperately needed and could buy now. 

'Some new deodorant was a must. Maybe some perfume? Then again, it's usually expensive. It can wait. What about some more lip balm? A bottle of (f/drink) would probably be a good idea too.' 

The list grew as you wandered past some of the display windows. A broad range of objects were showed off, from house appliances to mannequins wearing the latest fashion. You were just about to enter the shop when two hands suddenly jerked you to the side. 

A flashback of the time Vince and his group attacked you pops up. 'Not today!' Immediately you react by forcefully kicking your attacker between the legs. They inhale sharply and fall to their knees in pain. Smug, you turn around to face them.

"Alright you son of a-" you stop yourself from speaking further and stare at the single male. "...Starscream...?" 

The man on the ground clutching his groin area wheezes in answer. "W-Who...els..e?" He squeaks out. Just like that you're squatted down beside him, apologising madly. "Starscream, are you alright? I didn't know it was you! I thought it was Vince or one of the others! I-" 

As you helped the seeker to his feet, you let go, causing him to stumble to the floor in agony once again. "Wait, why am I helping you? You abandoned me you fragger! I had to get medical attention after I was assaulted!" 

Starscream, after getting to his feet with the kind help of the wall, takes a deep breath- his red eyes showing immense guilt along with the pain. "I did not mean for that to happen, (Y/N). I should not have left you-"

"Damn right you shouldn't have!" You cross your arms. 

Starscream winces as he stands to his full hight.   "For the love of Primus femme! Will you just allow me to explain!?" 

But the man didn't get the chance when a fist collided with his jaw. "Quickly (Y/N)!" Ratchet grabs your shoulders and ushers you away. 

"W-What...? Ratchet!? What's going on? You hit him!"

The old medic spins you around and looks you over. "And I'll do it again if I get the chance," he grumbles. "Rafael called me when he saw Starscream's holoform following you after you dropped him off.  Did he hurt you?" 

You shake your head, "No Ratchet. I'm fine. Starscream wouldn't hurt me."

The Autobot scoffs, "Oh really? And was it Starscream who told you that? (Y/N), he's a dangerous, lying, deceiving-" 

"Give her back you old rustbucket!" Ratchet is dramatically tackled to the ground by a red and grey blur. You look on, quite annoyed, as the two roll around on the tiled floor "fighting". 

Who knew you would have two alien men fighting over you? 

"Okay, okay, enough! You're embarrassing yourselves!" The two pause and glance around at the giggling humans passing them. Within moments both of them are back on their feet and glaring at each other.

"(Y/N), go to my alt in the parking lot." Ratchet tightens his fists. 

"But Ratch-" 

"No buts!" 

It was then, when Starscream realises that you were positioned closer to him than Ratchet, that he took a chance. Not risking losing you again, he quickly forms a plan.   

Swiftly he grabs the nearby trashcan and deposits it over the Autobot's head.

"What in the name of the Allspark-!?"

Ratchet, now stunned and struggling to maneuver the trashbin from his upper body, flailed around- his curses muffled. Hurriedly Starscream grabs your wrist in one hand and takes out the groundbridge remote with his other. 

By the time Ratchet removed the object obstructing his movement and vision, you were gone.