randomplaces | TFA 'verse. Decepticon base. Lugnut's return.

"Incomin'!" Scrapper tripped over the length of pipe Blitzwing had left laying on the floor and nearly stuck his head into a computer console.

The triple changer frowned at him and straightened up to look at the screen, then went wide-opticked. "That's not possible."

"What's not possible?" Scrapper tried to get up and then meeped as Hook stepped on his head on her way to the console.

"All our sensors indicate that it is indeed who it seems to be," she reported, her voice as emotionless as ever.

"But he vas eaten...." Blitzwing stared as the mech flew unerringly to one of the hidden entrances, then whirled and ran to intercept him, intending to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Blackout was there when he reached the cavern, the new arrival bowing at her feet and holding up a handful of credit chits as Megatron looked down at him from the big femme's hand.

"Lugnut...." said the triple changer softly, hardly daring to believe his optics.

"Lugnut." Megatron stretched out his tiny hands, his face set in an adorable and glad grin. "Get up. I can't reach you."

"Yes, master." The big soldier straightened, and then rumbled pleased surprise and dropped his credits as he found himself holding his chibified master.

"Megatron," he said, rumbling protectively. "Soon you will be restored to your proper glory!"

"Hold me closer." The tiny mech wriggled, and then snuggled as Lugnut obeyed.

"Where did you come from?" demanded Blackout, her own suspicion unabated.

"He was in a nexus," said Megatron without looking up. "And similarly afflicted to me."

"Yes." Lugnut nodded, one pincher covering the little chibi protectively. "I was unable to return before now. But I came as soon as I found a way!"

"Hrrmmm. Go find yourself somewhere to recharge. Will you return to me, Master?" Blackout rumbled and scowled.

"Not now," said Megatron, half asleep from listening to happy Lugnut rumbles.

"Very well. Call if you need me." She turned and left the cavern.

"Lugnut?" asked Blitzwing, stepping forward. "Is that really you? Or has Crazy leaked over into all our processor?"

The larger mech looked up from Megatron, and the next thing Blitzwing knew he was enveloped in a crushing one-armed hug.

"Aaackkk!" he cried, trying to push away, but then gave up the attempt and hugged his friend back with all his strength. "I missed you, you thick processored...."

"Not in front of Lord Megatron." Lugnut rumbled with amusement, then gently set his friend down. "Did my quarters survive?"

"Er... no. Actually, Aster and I have been using your bed." Blitzwing looked sheepish and tapped his pointer fingers together.

"Whaat?" Lugnut gave him a look, then frowned. "Who's Aster?"

"Ah, vell you see, that's a funny story..." Blitzwing started as he lead his friend from the room.