Often Ventus wondered that the large robots could feel things like that. He let his hand rest flat against the cool metal, and he looked up at Thundercracker's face, flinching at the questions as he lowered his head.

     They were difficult questions to hear, let alone answer. The boy didn't have the answers, even though he wished he did. They were questions he could have asked, but he never did. He knew that sometimes others left, but he always hoped that they'd gone home. It was easier to accept that way, if only by a little.

     But it was also denying the pain he felt in knowing that some of those he'd drawn close to in this place were people he might never see again. Slowly, Ventus stepped closer beside Thundercracker, leaning against him.