#Lily Jones (OC0

[autobot2001]

Day 26.2 A Not so Relaxing Party

Fandom; transformers Characters: Crosshairs, Drift, Jamie (OC), Ironhide, Hound, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Lily (OC) Rating: T Description; A Halloween party is a time for rest, except for Drift's anxiety.

OC-tober; taking time to rest Flufftober; outdoor event, pumpkin

A few days passed since Jamie ran off and suffered hypothermia. Vivian decided to have a Halloween party, and happy planning a few days in advanced worked in her favor. "I know this normally wouldn't work, but—" Vivian explains to Optimus. "It's ok, Vivian. We were planning a Halloween party for this weekend. Now there are two parties as only some people want to come here. Not all soldiers are used to walking through the groundbridge. This will likely become only Jamie's friends coming here, but that would be wise now." Optimus returns to the base using the groundbridge. Hoping to get a list of who wants to go to the Yeagers property for a Halloween party.

Vivian walks into the kitchen, seeing Drift try to get Jamie to eat. "She was eating fine a few days ago," Cogman whispers. "I hate how her mental health is. Not being able to help her," Vivian sighs, "I don't think this party will do much for her, but I hope this helps her a little." "I hate how I've watched humans treat mental health. Perhaps it was foolish to think Jamie is from a different dimension so things would be better." "And they've been here for a month. I hate how Crosshairs is right. At this point, mental damage is beyond repair."

For many Autobots, the Halloween party is a time to rest. Most want to see Jamie but worry about her from what they've been told about the past month. They all know they're now repeating the same conversation that ends in not knowing how to help Jamie, but this has become helpful venting. "…so I think we should keep this limited to Lightning and the terror twins," Hound concludes. The others agree but add that Ratchet and Rung should go, not just for the party. "No, we'll go there after the party," Rung insists, "but you all know there's not much I can do? Not even for Crosshairs and Drift." Rung can't hide how disappointed he is. Sunstreaker believes it'll be fine if Lily is part of the group.

Drift sits in his meditation room, looking through photos from ten years ago. Even while everyone was in hiding, Jamie was happier than she is now. I can't believe it. Drift sighs. I wouldn't want her this unhappy while we were in hiding, but she shouldn't be getting more depressed as the years ago by. Drift feels arms wrap around his waist. Crosshairs says nothing as he rests his head on Drift's shoulder, seeing what Drift is looking at. I can't believe it. Crosshairs thinks, seeing a couple of the pictures. Drift puts his phone away, and the two sit quietly. Tired of the same conversation with nothing else to add. Not knowing what to do to help Jamie. They sit in the quiet room for twenty minutes before deciding they had enough of the silence.

The rest of the day is the same as always. Which is both good and bad to Jamie's friends. Crosshairs and Drift are happy that Jamie goes to sleep without an issue. Crosshairs worries about Drift's nightmares that have yet to stop and if Jamie will end up having repeat nightmares more often.

Even with the small group, Vivian sticks to her plans and has the party set up. The only difference is the amount of food on the buffet table. She laughs, hearing Sunstreaker already telling Sideswipe to stay away from the candy. They didn't think Ironhide and Hound would be walking through the groundbridge. "Uh, yeah. I know I'm the one who said limit who's here, but —" Ironhide begins. "We know," Sunstreaker says, "we all worry about her, and we've been hearing about how bad she's been doing. I think we reached our limit for hearing how Jamie is doing and need to see her." "We're still taking time off from our duties at the base," Hound argues, "I'm going to enjoy the hot tub for a while." He goes into the house. The terror twins and Lily follow, but to find Jamie and her guardians. Ironhide stays behind to talk to Vivian.

The three find their friends in the kitchen. Which means they've seen Hound. The friends decide to go outside and carve the pumpkins they got.

They find Ironhide sitting on a chair on the patio. "Good, you can make sure he doesn't eat all the candy," Sunstreaker says, pointing to Sideswipe. The others laugh. They head out into the yard.

The four mechs take out their pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. Drift and Sunstreaker take out their charge's pumpkins. Sunstreaker also takes out tools for carving. Cogman brings over a large bowl. "I'm not letting pumpkin crap all over the yard," he argues and walks away. "But it's actually good food for birds and squirrels," Drift whispers, "put the guts in the bowl, and we'll spread it out later." Jamie doesn't even bother trying to get one of the knives on the ground. Knowing how much she terrified her guardians the past month. Drift doesn't worry about Jamie using knives to eat, but the knives Sunstreaker took out to carve the pumpkins worry him. He hates how he doesn't think she'll be safe while with friends.

Ten minutes pass before a femme approaches the group. "Hey," she says, "sorry, the three little ones wanted me to play games with them." "And here I thought you had a boyfriend you didn't want to tell me about, Lightning," Crosshairs jokes. The others laugh, "Come on, Drift, let's get drinks." Drift goes with Crosshairs. The others know he doesn't mean alcohol.

Crosshairs skips asking what's troubling Drift and gets right to trying to get Drift to relax. Neither know Ironhide is watching. Ironhide hates how terrified Drift is, and he knows Crosshairs is the same but hides it. Optimus is not going to like hearing this. Ironhide thinks. I hate seeing this. They shouldn't be terrified to lose Jamie off the battlefield. Even with her condition. I know that terrifies them, but they wouldn't be like this. All because of the knives they're using for pumpkin carving. Within a few minutes, Drift is calm. They get the drinks Crosshairs said they'd get, but both believe they won't be able to hide why they took so long. "So much for a relaxing day," Ironhide hears Hound. "This is bad regardless of the Autobot, but Drift's personality has completely changed again." "I think it's more like he goes through periods of being terrified, but with how Jamie's mental health has been and after what she did, this is a long period of being terrified." "How long before Crosshairs falls apart? So much for a relaxing day."