Domestic bliss. It was something neither of them had experienced previously in their lives. Lilah, due to her family and turbulent job choices- until landing at N.E.S.T. and Bluestreak, because he was involved in the Autobot's war since birth. But this, this was as close as they were likely to get, and they basked in it.

The day to day basic chores, the relaxed, loving cuddling after the day was through, and the conversations that spand deep into the night, refusing to end. Simplistic, day in and day out. It was beautiful, and they craved it like a man in the desert craved water. Like a healing ointment being spread gently over a wound, before being bound with gauze.

It did them both a world of good.

But it was also something they got lost in, and before they knew it, several months had flown by. Like a rushing river, it swept them downstream, and far away from where they first started. Not unpleasant, necessarily, but you tend to miss the pleasant times as they pass, and wish they would stay just a while longer. To draw it out.

Or at least, Lilah wished they would.

With the passing of time came change. Not bad, but different. Her body continued to alter and shift. Not physically- physically Lilah looked just as human as anyone else, apart from the eyes. The energy from Bluestreak's spark had bound to her iris', throwing sharp flecks of blue amid the amber. It was pretty, and not something that Lilah necessarily disliked.

It wasn't like it changed her vision at all- it was just… there.

Then there were the changes she did dislike.

At least, at first. They had woken her in the middle of the night, sending her into a panicking spiral of distress and pain. Not able to understand what was going on, Lilah had grasped wildly in the dark, opening her mouth to emit a scream she couldn't hear.

And then Bluestreak had been there.

His face pressed into her, seeking as much contact as he was able, whispering soft, sweet nothings and promising that everything was alright. Able to sense her distress as if it were his own, he had practically woken at the same time she had.

Then Lilah's pain registered, and Bluestreak rushed them both off to Ratchet again.

"Growing sensitivity to Cybertronians." The medic had offered by way of explanation. Apparently, the cycling, 'infected' cells had moved through her brain and spread there. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, and wouldn't end in any sort of medical issue, but it had presented a new spin to things.

Much like how Cybertronian's could sense each other's spark pulses, Lilah could now feel them over her skin like a blanket, like she could with her 'empathy'. It was… more accurate and more solid now. The spark energy and opened up that part of her brain further, helping it to grow like nutrients for plants.

Lilah grew used to it in the following handful of weeks, and began to use it to her advantage when communicating with Cybertronians. Though, none of it came even close to comparing how much she loved listening to Bluestreak's voice and chattering away with him for as long as she was capable.

Although, this new ability did have even more perks outside of that, Lilah had to admit. Like being able to sense when Cybertronians- the more quiet and small ones- were coming up behind her, or were heading down the hall towards her.

'Hello Smokescreen.' Half turning, Lilah signed to the therapist, smiling widely from where she sat comfortably on the edge of the base's roof. It was only the outcropping of roofing from the ground floor- Bluestreak would have a panicking fit otherwise- and if she were to fall, someone was very likely to catch her.

'Howdy, Lilah.' Offering a jovial grin, Smokescreen's holoform flicked it's fingers in greeting before flopping down beside her comfortably, 'Not with Blue?'

'No, Blue got put back on duty the day before yesterday.' Lilah frowned,

'Not you?' Eyebrows rose in question, confusion marring the holoform's exquisite features.

'I'm under surveillance, apparently.' She made a face,

'This makes you nervous?' Smokescreen questioned knowingly,

'Just makes me wonder if I've done something wrong, is all.'

'You know you haven't, right?'

'Kinda.' They fell quiet after Lilah's small half reassurance. Admittedly, she hadn't seen Smokescreen for… awhile. Not since she had gotten her new abilities.

Now she could halfway guess why.

'Panic-panic-panic-everything-is-wrong-why-why-why-panic-war-war-only-me-alone-therapist-' The waves threatened to overwhelm Lilah for a moment. She was used to her advanced empathy but, he was a special kinda mess compared to the others.

'Bear-their-pain-all-of-it-quiet-only-therapist-only-me-panic-panic-panic-' The loneliness and pain was almost suffocating. Tears pricked at her eyes, and Lilah's breathing hitched painfully; why hadn't Smokescreen asked for help in his endeavors? Why bear the role of 'confidant' alone? Ratchet was, perhaps, the only one to help, and he did so in a roundabout way.

Lilah struggled, she surged beneath the rapids as the current dragged at her heels.

'I'm sorry, I must be stressful to be next to.' Smokescreen offered her a friendly, self deprecating half smile as he signed, 'But I had to ask you something.'

Lilah shook her head vehemently, 'Your not. It's just…' she fought for the right words amid the pressure against her skull, 'This is new, is all.' she returned the smile, 'Shoot.'

'Why would I shoot? What would I shoot?' Confusion darted across Smokescreen's face, and Lilah almost laughed,

'Never mind that, just ask your question.' She had to wonder if he did that on purpose, to break tension, but decided not to ask that.

'You got your new… thing-' Lilah covered her mouth at that- even Smokescreen didn't know what to call it, apparently. He grinned and rolled his holoform's eyes,

'Hush you. But you got it under control now, right?'

'For the most part. It's just overwhelming sometimes if there's too many people or someone is…' Lilah's smile fell from her face quickly, and she gestured hopelessly, uncertain of what to call it. Now, it was Smokescreen's turn to chuckle at her, eyes bright.

Lilah playfully smacked him in the shoulder while shooting him a heatless glare.

'Shush. Is that all you had to ask?'

'Not exactly.' Seriousness settled back into Smokescreen's expression and body language, 'Your abilities could be helpful. And, well, due to the war, I'm the only available therapist on base…' Smokescreen fidgeted slightly.

Lilah's brow furrowed, uncertain of what he was trying to ask. She had a vague idea of what he was hinting at, but didn't want to be presumptuous or see things that weren't there. But she could feel Smokescreen's earnestness and absolute hope that she would agree to what he would ask next. How could she possibly say 'no' to whatever it was? Besides, Smokescreen wouldn't ask anything horrendous, she knew that much.

So she gestured for him to spit it out, smiling.

'How would you like to be my apprentice?'

XxX

Bluestreak rubbed at the back of his neck cables, grimacing. Since getting back, Ironhide had been quick to get him back into shape. While he understood why- Decepticons, ugh- it didn't help with the straining pain it put on his body. His protoform in particular ached just under his plating, protesting under even his armor's weight.

It was just silly.

Honestly, he had expected to just go back to his quarters, lay down in his berth, maybe cuddle with his human- if she was available, of course- and just sleep. Or relax. That bit was important too. Bluestreak was so looking forward to it.

What he hadn't expected was the pleasant surprise of his human already being in his quarters.

"Lilah?" Bluestreak tilted his head, door wings fluttering behind him in confusion, "Is everything alright?" she whipped around from where she had been admiring his Praxian Blossoms, eyes wide. His voice was something she was still getting used to- and would probably never fully be used to.

The radiant smile that danced across Lilah's face was something Bluestreak could have lived off of.

'Blue! Guess what!' Lilah was at the base of his pedes in moments, her eyes wide, 'Can you guess?' doing everything and anything she could to get him to speak more than he already did. Something Bluestreak didn't mind in the slightest, and found himself humoring with great joy. Anything for her.

Anything.

"Work called you in finally?" Bluestreak smiled, straightening his head at last, "I know you've been going stir crazy-" Lilah shook her head rapidly, her grin widening, "Um… your pregnant?" it was a half joke and half grasping at straws.

She gaped at him abruptly, caught off guard and partially horrified.

"I'm joking!"

'I would hope so! I think your child would kill me!'

Ah, now that was a pleasant image. Lilah's spark having one of theirs hovering next to it, weighted down- but Lilah didn't have a spark. The human thing… the human thing would be a swollen stomach, rounded out with the babe within, right? Bluestreak could get behind that. His door wings fluttered excitedly, like a set of butterfly wings.

'Blue!' He refocused, blinking down at his mate,

"Yes?"

'Are you out of guesses?' Lilah was getting too excited and impatient to keep pressing him to guess.

"I suppose so. I can't think of anything else." Bluestreak offered a grin, "Tell me already."

'I agreed to be Smoke's apprentice! I'm gonna be a therapist!'

Therapist. Her dream, Bluestreak knew. The excitement that washed over him was a mirror reflection of her's, and he drew her up into his hands with a squeal, pressing her to his face with all manner of abandon.

"That's wonderful sweetie!" His grin was as wide as physically possible, "When do you start? Are you looking forward to this? Oh, of course you are! How's Smokescreen? Do you two get along okay? Oh, I can pack little lunches for you like I saw in those movies-!" Lilah laughed, clinging to his face as Bluestreak practically danced in place, his babbling becoming more and more earnest and elated.

It was contagious, uplifting, amazing, wonderful.

"Oh Lilah, I'm so happy for you! This is… yes! Yes!" He cheered, laughing, "But, um, oh, do you…" Bluestreak's voice quieted and became a tad calmer, but at the same time, not. It had taken on less of an excited feel, and more of a nervous charge. Anxiousness setting in like a bad cold that just won't go away.

'What is it Blue?' Lilah's brow furrowed, leaning back in his hands to look up at his face. She could sense his emotions better than she could with anyone else, and it always tended to concern her when his feelings shifted so sharply like this.

She was still adjusting.

"Well, I was just thinking, I mean… we've been together awhile and I, I was wanting to, well, to celebrate, a-and I, um…" Bluestreak stuttered and fumbled, his face slowly going more and more blue as Energon rushed up to faceplates, "Well, you see… I wanted to ask…" he trailed off, fidgeting.

'You can ask me anything, Blue.' Lilah smiled comfortingly, rubbing the side of her face against his cheek. The closest, she felt, she could get to the intimacy and closeness that came from a kiss between humans. It was less cumbersome than trying to kiss him, and it seemed far more comfortable for the sniper.

Cybertronians didn't really 'kiss'.

"Okay. Okay, yeah, you're right." Bluestreak took a deep breath, before letting it out slowly as he carefully nuzzled her back, "I… Lilah?"

'Yes?'

"Will you move in with me?"

(AN: Thank you. All of you, for everything. This has been a breathtaking journey. I've discovered, learned, gained so much. I can't fully impress on you all how much you do for me. From helping me grow, to pulling me out of the mud when life starts convincing me its the end. When I was in the ER, it was the thought of my stories, and how much you all seemed to enjoy them that gave me extra pep, and kept me trying to find a reason for my pain.

Thank you.

As for Hear Me, this is the end. And yet, not. For Lilah and Blue, this is just the beginning. And hey, once in awhile, I'll post a oneshot or something concerning them, so there's that. You guys ready to embark on another adventure with me?

Hot Iron is calling.)