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Megatron was back, again. This time he was holding a box of crystallized energon, his favorite.
Why is he back, why did he have to be so sweet and attentive, gentle and caring?
Why couldn't that have been Eli Blackarachnia or Sentinel instead, why?
Why is Megatron of all mecha so infatuated with him, when Optimus for the longest time has only had eyes for his trine?
Or what was his trine. They're not together anymore, not after Blackarachnia's accident.
They had made it out of the caves, and thought they were safe, but one of the creatures, a small one, had crawled onto Elita's servo and bit her.
They found out techno and organics don't mix. Elita had become Blackarachnia, techno-organic, different.
But alive, all three had made it out of that dreaded planet alive. Optimus was just happy they had all made it out, unfortunately not everybot thought so.
Sentinel couldn't deal with Blackarachnia's organic-ness, said she wasn't his Elita. Their following argument broke the trine.
They had both gone their separate ways, leaving Optimus to collect the broken pieces of their trine, alone.
But he's tried to get them back, if not as a trine, because Sentinel will never like Blackarachnia, then just with him.
Since the start, they were his everything; his roommates, best friends, his trine. They were always together, Optimus had never known what it was like to be alone.
But now he was always alone. Even when he tried visiting them, to catch up and see how he could be part of their lives again.
But Blackarachnia had moved on, gotten herself a lover that she lived with, a new life partner. Optimus knew the reason he didn't like Slipstream was because that wasn't him, otherwise he knows they would've gotten along just fine.
Sentinel had dedicated himself to work, rose through ranks and became Ultra Magnus' right servo, and now had no time for Optimus.
And Optimus…
He struggled a lot at first, but now he had mostly pieces himself back together. At least, that's what he tells himself.
Being alone had taken it's toll, but Optimus learned how to cope. Not that's he's really alone now anyways.
Megatron. A formidable mech, big and fearsome, who brought Optimus amethyst blooms when he learned how he loved them, who brought him countless assorted candy boxes to find which he liked best and has only brought him his favorites since. Who brings him so many lovely data-pads, filled with history, novels, poems, all things Optimus loves to read.
Optimus is under no illusions of goodwill or friendship, he understands courting gestures when presented before him.
But… why couldn't they have come from the bots who broke his spark?
By now, Optimus doesn't even know why Megatron likes him so much. It's not like Optimus was anything special, if he was they wouldn't have left him.
He thinks back to when they first met, Optimus had dragged himself out of his habsuite to the 'united' gym to get some exercise and hopefully clear his head a bit.
Normally he goes to the closer one to his home, but it was full and Optimus hadn't wanted to deal with other bots. Nobot really goes to this one, since it was for all frame classes to use.
Both civilian and war frames tended to stick to their own areas mostly because of the size difference. Especially the gym, since nobot wants to accidentally get hurt.
He had gotten there just fine, and the gym was thankfully empty. Optimus had just wanted to do stretches and maybe try some of the sims.
That's when he bumped into Megatron, who challenged him on the sparring mat. And even as down as Optimus had been feeling, he could never turn down a challenge.
And even though Megatron won, he knew he had given it his all. When Megatron asked for a rematch, Optimus agreed. And thus they had spent the evening, sparring and talking over cubes of coolant during the breaks.
Optimus thought that had been that, but Megatron had other plans. Which lead them to where they are now.
"Optimus? May I come in? I brought your favorite, crystals with a side of energon," Megatron offered, holding up the box of goodies.
Optimus snorted, he knew Megatron was teasing him.
"Just because I like them thoroughly crystallized doesn't make them real crystals Megatron," Optimus countered, as he opened the door to let Megatron in.
Okay, so maybe if Optimus knew Megatron wanted to court him, and Optimus wasn't going to actually date him, maybe he should stop.
But it was hard when Megatron was right there, and he always came back, and he was just so mindful and, well, Optimus just doesn't want to be alone anymore.
"Hmm, maybe, however crystal energons are meant to have a gooey energon center, not be crystal energons," Megatron rebutted. Oh right, conversation.
Optimus just shrugged, and took the box as Megatron settled onto his couch. Optimus still didn't get why Megatron kept visiting him at home when they could meet up somewhere they both fit comfortably.
"Mmm, these are really good. You gotta tell me where you get them someday," Optimus mumbled around the bite of crystal in his mouth. They really were good.
Megatron just looked really pleased, and smug. Probably because Optimus likes his gift.
"So did you like the last datapad I gave you?" Megatron asked, once Optimus finished stuffing his face with crystal energons.
"The poem one? Yeah, they were really nice,"
"Just nice? Which was your favorite?"
"Hard to pick, but I gotta go with 'The world doesn't care', it was very sparkfelt, I could feel the pain the speaker was in," Optimus replied. He related to the poem, loving someone that will never love you the same, a love felt, a love lost.
"Really?" Megatron asked, looking thoughtful, as if he didn't expect Optimus to go with that answer.
"Yeah, which one's yours?"
"As you said, they are all nice, but I will say 'To Be Yours' and 'Maybe you will never' are particular favorites of mine," Megatron answered, not hesitating like Optimus did.
"Those were sweet, but really sad, no?"
"Selfless more like, and the poem you chose is not happy either, is it?" Megatron countered.
"Hmm, well yes but mine is about being the injustice of a love unreturned, yours about the resignation,"
"Good point, 'To Be Yours' is about being resigned to unrequited feelings, no matter how strong they are. However 'Maybe you will never' isn't about resignation so much as acception. The speaker is aware their love will not be returned, and they are okay with that, as long as they get to keep loving their beloved. And that makes it all the more sweeter no?"
Optimus curled up on his side of the couch. That sounded nice, being loved so strongly like that. He could see why Megatron liked those.
And so they spent the rest of the afternoon, debating about the love poems Megatron had gifted him, and finishing the candy.
Once it had gotten dark, Optimus had walked Megatron to the door.
"Will I be allowed back for another visit, Optimus?" Megatron asked, facing the smaller bot.
Optimus sighed, every time he visited and left, it was always the same question. And Optimus always gave the same answer.
"You know you're welcome back whenever you want, you don't have to keep asking me,"
Megatron just smiled at him, and Optimus felt himself smile back. And that's when Megatron changed the script.
Gently, he grabbed one of Optimus' servos and placed a small kiss on the back. He then let go and took off flying, leaving a slightly flustered Optimus behind.
Optimus couldn't stop thinking about it, and it was driving him crazy.
Did he like Megatron? Was it the gifts? Is this just because it's the first bit of affection he's felt from another since Sentinel and-
Sentinel, Blackarachnia
What about them? Does this mean he doesn't love them anymore?
Optimus thought about it but no, he still felt that pull in his spark whenever he thinks about them.
How Sentinel never bothered with personal space, always dragging him and Elita into side hugs and cuddle sessions.
How Elita was always so tactile, whether a pat, or a smack on the helm, or bumping their shoulders together, Elita was always touching one of them.
Sentinel's loud laugh paired with Elita's quiet snickers, the way they both made the same face whenever they schemed against Optimus.
How they would both tuck themselves around Optimus whenever they slept, curling around him, making him feel safe and protected, even if he was the better fighter of the three.
He missed that, and he still desperately wanted that back, but he knows he can't.
They both moved on, without him, without each other. They were living their own life, by themselves, just how Optimus should. But he can't because he misses them so much.
He's getting nowhere. Shaking his helm, Optimus took a few deep vents to sort out his processor.
Maybe a change of scenery could help.
With that in mind, he walked out of his hab. And right into someone.
"Hey, watch it!" A voice squawked.
"Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention," Optimus apologized, reaching down to help up the stranger he accidentally knocked over.
"Yeah, I can tell. You tall bots never look down," The other bot muttered, even as he accepted the help up.
Optimus pretended he didn't hear anything, although hiding his shock at how much smaller the other bot was, was a bit harder. Well, that explained his words.
"Bee! There you are, I was looking everywhere for you!" A third bot approached, reaching for the smaller bot.
"Hey Bulk, sorry for running off like that, but you were taking forever," the small bot, Bee? apologized.
"Don't be like that, the gym's not going anywhere," The other bot, Bulk, reasoned.
"Oh, were you heading to the local gym?" Optimus asked. It's not rude if they keep talking in front of his hab, right?
"Nah, Bee here wants to try taking on some war frames," Bulk answered, it was clear he was mostly humoring his friend.
"No, I want to take on Blitzwing! I want some payback after last time!" Bee clarified.
"Oh, did he fight you before?" Optimus asked, to keep the conversation going, and successfully getting them to start walking.
"Fight is an understatement, he utterly humiliated me! Showed up and started taunting me til I agreed to spar, and then he won!" Bee complained, arms moving around haphazardly.
"Maybe he was flirting," Optimus mused, Megatron was much the same, except it was more than one match and Optimus managed to actually win once.
"No way, who flirts by fighting?"
"Maybe it's a war frame thing? They do have a different culture," Bulk answered, thinking it over.
Bee stilled, or his servos did at least. He kept walking but was quieter.
"You know, he could take it as you flirting back if you win, or you could talk to him after," Optimus offered. He didn't expect Bee to know all this, the main reason he had known was A. Megatron, and B. he researched it during his academy days.
"Oh…"
"You can be straightforward, they know how to take a no," Optimus reassured.
Not much more was said after as they arrived and entered the gym. Surprisingly, it wasn't empty, there were a few civilian and a few war frames.
Optimus saw Bulk nudge Bee and point at one specific bot. Optimus looked at who he was pointing and…
When Bee said 'Blitzwing', Optimus had assumed he was referring to another bot, not one of the Decepticon's best fighters, comfortably within the tight circle of Decepticon high command, knows the identity of the true leader of the decepticons, Blitzwing.
Bee looked nervous, and despite just having met him, Optimus felt that Bee was a bot that never let nerves lead him.
In quiet support, Optimus sent a short distance ping to his comms. Bee looked over in surprise, before pinging him back, in thanks.
Bee then confidently marched up to Blitzwing, who was just chilling near the coolant and energon dispenser, and drag him off.
"He's gonna be fine, right?" Bulk asked, fiddling with his servos.
"Probably, I mean when a decepticon challenges you like that, they want to test your skill and how you are as a person. To them, fighting is its own language. So Bee demanding to talk like that, is its own challenge that Blitzwing clearly didn't back down from," Optimus assured, confident in that much. Megatron had taken great joy in explaining when Optimus had asked.
Bulk just nodded, hopefully soothed by Optimus' answer. Before Bulk could ask anything again, somebot else approached.
"Optimus," Megatron spoke, almost reaching out to him.
"Megatron," Optimus greeted, frag he went out to avoid thinking about him, why is he here?
"I- Would you like to spar?" Megatron asked, pointing to the mats which were currently empty.
Optimus looked over to Bulk to see if he was fine with being left alone.
Please say no, please say-
"Oh, you can go, it's fine, I'll just wait here," Bulk replied, walking off to the benches against the walls.
Optimus sighed, but followed Megatron, grateful he already gone through every stretch he could think of at home before he left. Granted that was mostly to try and avoid going out, seeing if he could clear his processor.
So much for avoiding him. But maybe a good spar could clear his processor better than any exercise, and Megatron was a really good spar.
Before they could reach the mats though, something came barreling into his chassis. What..?
"Bee?"
"You were right, he was flirting! But then we talked it over and we're gonna see where this goes but at least I know he wasn't being mean, and I could do without the bug related jokes but that's better than being called small," Bee babbled, still grabbing onto Optimus.
From the slight way Optimus could feel Bee was still trembling, Optimus knows he was still scared, even if it all turned out just fine. Optimus just patted his back.
"Vent, Bee. I'm glad it all turned out well between you and Blitzwing," Optimus said, interrupting Bee.
"Blitzwing? Oh, you're the bot that captured his spark, nice meeting you," Megatron also butted in, recognizing the name.
"You know Blitzwing?"
"Oh, we've known each other for a long time. Isn't that right?" Megatron asked, turning to face Blitzwing, who showed up at some point.
"Of course, now if I could have my little hummel?" Blitzwing requested.
"Right! I wanted a rematch! You're so on!" Bee perked up, letting of Optimus in favor rushing to the very mats Optimus and Megatron were heading to.
"Guess they beat us to it, huh?" Oh thank primus, Optimus doesn't want to think about how bad it was going to be to be in close proximity to Megatron after the last time they were together.
"Hmm, real shame, but while we're here together, care to head out with me?" Megatron proposed, optics hopeful as he held out a servo.
And oh, Optimus could never resist spending time with Megatron. He just made him feel like somebot actually cared for him.
And so, waving goodbye to Bulk who was now cheering on Bee, he walked out with Megatron.
At least he has Bee's comm now, so they could meet up again if they wanted to. Optimus hopes they want to, Primus knows he needs to get out more.
Their date had been lovely, and Optimus knows it was a date, even if, officially, he hasn't accepted Megatron yet.
Megatron had payed, of course he had, and they had talked until the cafe had kindly thrown them out. Then Megatron had walked him home, and once again, kissed his servo before leaving, just as he had done for the past few dates.
Bee had commed him so they could hang out some time, as well as Bulkhead's comm frequency so all three could talk together.
They've gone out together a few times, Bumblebee sometimes talking more about his own dates with Blitzwing than he did himself. Optimus could confidently say they were friends now.
But he still felt as conflicted as ever, if not more. At first, it had been fine, but the longer he strings Megatron along the worse he feels.
Optimus had just spent the better part of the day out, but he couldn't stay at home right now. And since Megatron had just headed out, there was almost no chance of them bumping into each other again.
And so, with a quick peek up to make sure Megatron was truly gone, Optimus headed out, making sure he didn't bump into anyone this time.
He wandered aimlessly around, maybe he could head to the archives? It's late but Alpha Trion had given him access codes so he could go there whenever he wanted to.
Mind made up, he settled on a direction. Until he heard a noise from an alleyway. Cautiously, he approached. Shining his headlights, he peeked in.
"Hello? Anyone there?" he asked, looking around. He looked down and- "Oh Primus, are you alright?"
There was a mech lying on the ground, energon pooled around his abdomen, where he might have a wound, if the way he was grabbing himself was anything to go by.
"Ngk, I could use some help," The mech spoke up, reaching up with the servo not bracing against his wound.
Carefully, Optimus helped him up, before tugging his arm around his shoulders so the mech could lean on him.
He didn't look good, and Optimus doubted he was able to transform right now, which means he might not make it to the nearest hospital. But where… right.
"C'mon, I'll take you to someone that can help you," Optimus said, as he started walking.
"N-no hospital… I don't like them," The mech mumbled, stumbling along.
"Good thing I'm not taking you to one, I know someone better," Someone better that Optimus hasn't talked to since his trine… yeah they haven't talked in a while.
The mech didn't respond, but they kept walking so Optimus knew he didn't pass out, which was good. He may not be slacking off his workouts, especially with how Megatron enjoys sparring, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to carry the mech all the way.
They thankfully made it to their destination soon enough. Shuffling the mech to lean into Optimus, Optimus knocked on the door with his free arm. No response, which made sense it was late.
Taking a deep vent, Optimus sent a ping, and knocked the door again. This time, it opened.
"What's all the- Optimus…"
"Hi Ratchet, it's been a while, umm, could you help me with…?" Optimus greeted, before motioning to the mech still hanging off of him.
"What- of course, here let me,"
And between them they carried in the mech, who was then laid out on Ratchet's couch.
"What happened to him?" Ratchet asked as he gathered all the tools he figured he'd need.
"I don't know, I found him lying in an alley," Optimus answered, as he adjusted the mech, who was barely conscious now.
"Ratchet? What's all the noise about? Is Wheel- oh hi Optimus," Arcee greeted, from the doorway to presumably their berth room.
'Wheel'… Wheeljack, Ratchet's other partner… the third of his triad. Ratchet insisted there was a difference between a triad and a trine, but all the same, there were three. And one of the main reasons Optimus dropped contact.
Was it a petty reason, in retrospect?
Yeah, but seeing another happy trio, a trio that wasn't him and his trine... He just couldn't deal with that.
"Sorry for waking you love, go back to berth, it's just a late night… client." Ratchet told her, before settling down to start working on the mech's injury.
"Client? Is the bot okay?" she asked, walking into the living room.
"He'll be fine, say, why don't you and Optimus, since neither of you appear keen on leaving, take a cube of energon and sit down over there?" Ratchet suggested, mostly so they could stop interrupting him.
"Right, sorry, c'mon Optimus, it's been a while, how have you been?" Arcee inquired, as she passed him half a cube of energon, sprinkled with Rhodium and a hint of Osmium, his favorite.
Or it was, he stopped drinking it like that after…
"I've been fine, sorry for not reaching out earlier," Optimus responded, with an apologetic smile.
"Oh I'm sure you meant to, but at least we're talking now, right?" Arcee tried cheering him up. It had been too long, and she knows Ratchet had fretted when Optimus had stopped contacting him, even if he would never admit it.
"Yeah…"
Arcee could sense she had hit a nerve, and quieted down for a moment, taking the time to look over Optimus. Ratchet hadn't been the only one worried about him.
After Elita's accident, Optimus had been clingier to his trine, but they had broken up, and Arcee has witnessed enough broken trine bonds to know it would hit hard.
Especially since Optimus would blame himself, despite it being his trine-mates that fought and broke their trine apart. Nobot should be alone to deal with any broken bond, Optimus no exception.
But there had been nothing she could do, she wasn't as close to him as Ratchet was, and even he had been locked out. But he was finally here, he was back, and he looked…
His plating was scuffed with small dents, but clean and freshly painted. He just started getting better, if the way he finally started reaching out was any indication.
Ratchet had been a mess once he realized Optimus was locking him out too, Arcee and Wheeljack couldn't do much besides be there for him, and reassure him that Optimus will eventually reach out again.
If only he had done so under better circumstances.
"Done," Ratchet interrupted, looking between Arcee, who didn't pour herself anything, and Optimus who was just staring at his cube.
"He's fine?" Optimus asked, worried about the mech.
"He's resting for now, now what about you?" Ratchet asked, turning the conversation around.
"What about me?" Optimus sputtered.
Ratchet just sighed, before simply opening up his arms invitingly. Optimus looked conflicted for a few kliks, before he accept the hug, practically melting into Ratchet.
He lost track of time after, although he started crying at some point. He didn't remember the last time he's been hugged like this, and he missed it.
"I'm sorry." was the only thing Optimus felt he could say.
Sorry for what? For not being able to bring himself to grieve his broken bond? For isolating himself? For ignoring Ratchet until he couldn't?
It didn't matter, Ratchet only hugged him tighter. Until Optimus himself let go, and pulled back. Taking a few steadying vents, he sat back on his chair.
"Right, just never shut me out like that again and we're fine, got it?"
"Deal"
There were no more words needed to be said. That's just how their relationship worked.
When Ratchet settled on the seat across from Optimus, he realized Arcee had left at some point.
Soon enough, they started talking about everything that had happened. Apparently Wheeljack rescued some experimented protoforms so now Ratchet had 5 bitties to take care of, right now Wheeljack had taken them out for a night stroll.
Optimus had talked about his new friends, books he read, new candy he's tried. Although he carefully avoided mentioning from where he'd gotten them. He didn't know why, but he didn't want to tell Ratchet about Megatron, not yet.
By the time the sun rose, they had finished catching up and the injured mech appeared to have woken up. With some help, he managed to sit up.
"How're you feeling?"
"I feel fine, thank you for the help," The mech said, gratefully.
"Good, cause you looked horrible when the bit brought you in," Ratchet grumbled, "And now you're his problem. There's energon in the dispenser, he knows where everything is, don't put too much strain on your welds, you can head out whenever, I'm going back to berth,"
With those parting words, Ratchet disappeared further into his hab. Leaving Optimus with the mech.
"By bit, I assume he meant you?"
"Yeah, he says at his age, everybot is a bitlet," Optimus shrugged, long used to it.
"I see, anyways, thanks for helping me,"
"It was no problem, couldn't just leave you there, you were leaking energon. Speaking of which, you probably need some. Any preference?" Optimus asked, as he wandered over to the kitchen.
Pouring out a cube, he looked over to the mech, who's name, Optimus is only realizing now, he's never asked for.
"Umm, Mercury, if you have it, thanks,"
Optimus searched through the toppings, he's sure it's around here… there! Walking back, he passed the cube and the small mercury bottle to the mech.
"By the way, I'm Optimus," Optimus offered, taking a seat on the other side of the couch.
"Prowl," the mech replied, taking the energon and sprinkled a servoful in.
They just sat there, until Prowl finished drinking his energon.
"Your carrier is very skilled," Prowl commented, poking his welds, which had long since set, thankfully.
"Ratchet isn't my carrier," Optimus corrected.
"Sire then, my apologies, "
"Oh, no. He's not my creator, at all" Optimus spluttered. Did Prowl think that's what they were?
"Oh, it just seemed that the two of you were close,"
"He's my… mentor? Or he was, now we're just… yeah close is fine." Optimus tried clarifying, but they never really labeled their relationship, never had to.
Before they could keep talking, Wheeljack burst in, with 5 sleeping sparklings clinging to him; three in his arms, one wrapped around his leg, and one sitting on his shoulders, leaning on his head.
"Oh, Optimus! Hi! Stranger, hello! Umm, help me?" Wheeljack asked, unable to motion with his servos.
Prowl stared at him, and Optimus couldn't tell if it was because of the sparklings or his flashing helm-fins.
Standing up, Optimus gently grabbed two of them from his arms, allowing Wheeljack to grab the one on his head.
"Do they have their own room or…?"
"Right, you haven't been here in a while, yeah this way," Wheeljack whispered, not wanting to wake the now stirring sparklings in their arms.
Quietly, they made their way to a room adjacent to the main berthroom, one that Optimus was pretty sure was their larger storage room.
Opening it revealed a single large nest, made up of various meshes, but they all looked so soft.
He turned to Wheeljack, who had walked almost into the nest, before setting down the sparklings in his arms, gently shushing them as they squirmed.
Carefully, he then pried off the one clutching his leg, before settling him in the center of the nest.
Optimus watched amazed as the two sparklings he had set down earlier started squirming towards the one in the middle.
Looking over the sparklings properly, the one in the middle appeared to be the largest, by far.
"Here, let me help," Wheeljack said quietly, as he took one of the sparklings from Optimus' arms and set it down, Optimus following his lead.
Soon, there was a pile of sparklings curled up in the middle of the nest, at some point they squirmed into the nest, they were partially covered by the meshes.
Slowly, they inched back until they were out of the room, and quietly closed the door. In the hallway, they looked at each other, and though Optimus couldn't see his face, he could tell Wheeljack smiled at him.
They walked back to the living room, where Prowl was still sitting down, waiting for them.
"Thanks for that, Optimus, and glad to see you back. Now, I have had a long night, I'm going to berth, good night," Wheeljack said, and turned around to do just as he claimed.
"Five sparklings sure is a lot, even for a trine," Prowl commented.
"They're not a trine, they're a triad, and it's their choice. I think they're doing fine," Optimus rectified.
"I see, well, good for them,"
"Anyways, is there anyone you can comm to help you, or-"
"Yes, my amica, he's on his way already," Prowl confirmed, having commed Jazz while Optimus was gone. Now it's a matter of waiting.
Eventually though, he did show up. When he knocked, Optimus pinged the door to open as he helped Prowl stand up.
"Hey, Prowler, got ya comm, what're ya doin' all the way over 'ere?" A mech asked as he walked in, presumably Prowl's amica.
He walked over to them, taking Prowl from Optimus.
"Thanks mech, des is Jazz, nice meetin' ya," Jazz introduced himself, as he started towards the door.
"Wait, Optimus," Prowl stopped, before Optimus felt a short-distance comm, and he sent his own back, both saving each other's comm frequency.
"Optimus? As in, Sentinel's Optimus, Optimus?" Jazz asked, turning his helm to face Optimus.
"I- you know Sentinel?"
"Yeah, he's my… boss? I think, but he's always goin' on bout how he 'misses his precious Optimus' although pretty sure he calls ya 'Oppy' most'a the time," Jazz explained, and Optimus froze.
Sentinel… still talked about him? He misses him? But the last time Optimus tried reaching out Sentinel brushed him off… What?
"Optimus, ya ok?" Jazz asked, with a frown, Optimus not responding to him.
Jazz and Prowl exchanged looks, Optimus didn't look good, but neither were quite sure how to help. That's when Arcee walked out, into the scene.
"Optimus, are you okay?" She asked, touching his shoulder.
"Arcee! I… yeah, yeah… I'll be fine," Optimus mumbled, still very much in shock, but walking to the door to leave anyways.
"Will he be alright?" Prowl asked, concerned for Optimus.
"He's strong, and he knows he can always come here for anything," Arcee assured them, even if she was also worried.
At least, she hopes he knows he can always come to them, not just Ratchet. Or any of his other friends, just as long as he's not alone right now. Speaking of friends,
"Do you two need anything?"
"Nah don't worry bout us, we're headin' out now, it's been a long night, right Prowl?"
"Yes, we were. Thank you…"
"Arcee,"
"Arcee, give my thanks to your triad as well,"
"Mine's too, thanks for lookin' after ma mech, Arcee,"
"It was our pleasure, uh,"
"Jazz, and this one's Prowl. Can I get your comm just in case?"
"Of course,"
After Jazz and Arcee swapped frequencies, Jazz and Prowl headed out. Arcee saw them out, wishing them safe travels, quietly also hoping Optimus made it home safely.
Optimus did, in fact successfully make his way home safely home, although not necessarily sound of mind.
Since he heard Jazz say that, his processor has been working overtime, struggling to piece together what could be the truth. It just doesn't add up.
Optimus has been desperately trying to get Sentinel to see him again, to no avail. His comms always rejected, and any attempt to try and see him in person end with a 'schedule a meeting'.
Sentinel has been ignoring him, what did Jazz mean by 'he misses him'?
That just doesn't make sense! Why would Sentinel continuously avoid him, cutting all contact and then complain about how he misses Optimus?
Had this happened just a cycle earlier, Optimus would've rushed out the door and schedule that pit-damned meeting, for the sliver of hope that Sentinel would take him back, anything to not be alone.
But… he wasn't alone anymore.
He's made new friends, Bee, Bulkhead, Bee's beau Blitzwing. He's reached out and re-established contact with Ratchet and his triad, he's made new connections just earlier with Jazz and Prowl!
He's being courted for pit's sake!
Right, Megatron…
This whole thing started because Megatron was interested in him, actually wanted him, Optimus still didn't know what to do about it. He should come clean, but what if Megatron leaves him too?
Ugh, he's too tired to think about this slag, he's been up all night. He'll think about it later, once he's had a half-decent amount of recharge. With that thought, he headed straight for berth.
And was promptly woken up a few joors later by a knock on his door. He groggily checked his HUD, 6 joors, that's too little, he internally whined.
Then he noticed someone was pinging him, Megatron?
Wrapping himself up in his blanket, he stumbled to the door, and opened it, revealing Megatron on the other side, looking… concerned?
"Can I help you?" Optimus asked, his voice still staticky from recharge.
"Oh, I was unaware you were resting, but your comm was, concerning," Megatron answered, looking down on him, his optics wide.
Optimus just pouted up at him, his processor taking more than a few kliks to realize what Megatron said, most of it demanding he just go back to berth.
Once it clicked though, he checked his comm log, and sure enough,
:I'm sorry, Sentinel sucks, please don't leave me;
"Ah… come in, " Optimus replied belatedly, stepping into his hab to let Megatron in.
"I assume it was a long night for you?" Megatron guessed, from Optimus' sleepy attitude and the fact he was still wrapped in his blanket, a far cry from his usually sarcastic and distant, put-together manner.
"Mhmm, long night, someone was stabbed, I think, he didn't say but there was a lot of spilled energon. You want energon? I'm getting energon," Optimus declared, dropping Megatron off in his living room as he moved to the kitchen.
"A cube, if you don't mind, with-"
"Equal amounts of gold and silver, with a pinch of cadmium I know," Optimus finished, as he prepped both of their cubes.
He soon came back and passed Megatron his cube and settled down on the far end of the couch, tucking himself deeper into his blanket. Quietly, they both simply drank, before Megatron spoke up again, breaking the silence.
"Can I ask about the comm?" Megatron was willing to overlook the earlier comments in favor of the more pressing problems.
"That, right. I'll be honest, I don't remember sending that, but, again, long night. But I'm sure I still know what I meant," Optimus almost mumbled the last part, not wanting to admit that, yet.
But Megatron deserved the truth, even if Optimus doesn't want to face the consequences of his actions.
"I… I know you're interested in me, I'm aware you've been courting me," Good opening as any.
Megatron flinched back, as if he didn't know Optimus was aware of his intentions.
"Optimus I-"
"I know you've been expecting my response," Optimus continued, not letting Megatron interrupt, "And I… I've been avoiding doing that, even though I know you deserve a response one way or another,"
Acception or rejection, and Optimus has given him neither in favor of the chase. He knows by now most mecha give up, but Megatron hadn't, and Optimus had liked that.
"So you knew, then. That doesn't explain the comm, unless you think I won't stick around after either answer?"
"Yes and no. I… There's something I need to tell you, about my past, something I should've told you from the start"
And so, Optimus let it all spill out. From how he had his trine, to their break up, and Optimus desperately trying everything to either get them back or filling the hole they left.
Which was when he had met Megatron.
"You were just so sweet, and I hadn't had anyone in so long that I latched onto you, onto the affection you gave me, but… I knew that was conditional too."
"Eventually I would demand an answer one way or another,"
"Yes, and I didn't want to pick,"
"If you're so… if you wanted such affection, why not accept me? Did you think I would stop?"
"No I- I know you wouldn't but I had hope that… I hoped that I would be able to try and get either Blackarachnia or Sentinel back,"
"And you wanted to be able to run back to them, I was just a temporary comfort,"
"You were, at least at first…"
Optimus hoped Megatron would hear him out, even if he knew he didn't deserve it. Megatron could storm out right now and Optimus wouldn't blame him.
"At first?"
"I… I realized I didn't just like the affection, I started enjoying you for you, not the candy, or the pads. I was looking forward to your company because I enjoyed spending time with you," Optimus admitted.
"I'm sensing there's a but?"
"But I… Blackarachnia and Sentinel were my trine, it's a bond that's hard to get over once broken, and they were my everything once. I still hold onto the foolish hope it will fix itself someday, even if I know that won't happen,"
"I see… so why not reject me? I would have accepted friendship just fine,"
"I know that. But I do want the courtship, I want see where this goes, but…"
"But it still feels like a betrayal to your trine,"
"…yes,"
It wasn't fair, Megatron didn't deserve to be strung along like this, but Optimus didn't want to have to choose, he wanted both, he wanted his trine back, but he also wanted Megatron.
"So did you decide then? I can't be kept in this state of indecision forever,"
"I… I can't force you to wait for me to be ready to move on, it's not fair of me to demand that of you. But it is also unfair to me to deny myself this opportunity to move on and be happy,"
Optimus had been thinking a lot about this, about how to go about this, in a way that was fair to both of them.
"True, but then how will you choose?"
"I can't ask you to wait for me, but, and I know this will be asking a lot, but… please be patient with me, I will have my bad days, but I want to try this, us, if you'll still have me?" Optimus looked up at Megatron, pleadingly.
Megatron, in turn, looked stunned. He was ready for rejection, bracing for it, in fact, since Optimus started talking. But Optimus wasn't rejecting him, he was just… asking for time, to grieve and mourn, and for Megatron to be there for him.
"I've already waited so long, and yet, for you I will wait another 4 millennia. Of course I will still have you, I cannot fault you for grieving, as long as I will be the one you return to at the end of the day," Megatron stated.
"Then, can I…"
"Don't be afraid to ask for anything, I will do everything in my power to get you whatever your spark desires,"
"Can… can I have a hug?" Optimus asked, hesitantly. It felt childish, but he could really use the comfort after such a heavy, long overdue, conversation.
He didn't know he expect Megatron to react, maybe just do it, or at least a bit put-upon. But Megatron had lit up, and the next thing Optimus knew, he was curled up in Megatron's arms, sitting on his lap. It was comfy, and exactly what Optimus needed right now.
"y'know I expected you to not want to," Optimus mumbled.
"And why might that be?"
Optimus tried to shrug, but due to his position was unable to.
"Because you never do anything? The most physical contact we have outside of sparring is when you would kiss my servo,"
"Hmm, and here I thought you were an expert in our courting customs,"
"Fighting is attractive?" Optimus guessed, he was getting rather sleepy.
"Yes, especially when it's you. But no, physical contact has to be initiated by the one getting courted, however, due to my assumption that you were oblivious, I had taken some… liberties."
"Like kissing my servo and asking me to spar?"
"Exactly,"
Optimus just nodded, between not enough recharge, and the very comfy position he was in, he was struggling to stay awake.
"I have to ask though, why did you comm me about Sentinel? I understand your past but, why mention him?"
Optimus vaguely remembered answering something along the lines of 'Sentinel's a glitch' before he slipped into recharge.
"Rest well, my beloved," Megatron whispered, before pressing a light kiss to Optimus' helm.
It was a slow process, there were days where Optimus didn't want to go out with Megatron, but with time, those days were far and few between.
And Optimus was finally relying on others too. Something that, looking back, he had never done, since it had always been just him and his trine. He had Ratchet, but Elita had always dragged him away, just how Sentinel had when Optimus would spend time in the archives with Alpha Trion.
He had actually connected both friend groups, creating a hang out with both groups present, after informing them of said plan, of course.
Of course, Bee and Prowl had a rocky start, but Bee was just like that. And according to Jazz, Prowl was also just like that.
And it wasn't just them, since reaching out to Ratchet, he's visited more often. In fact, he is their go-to bitty-sitter whenever they struggle with the sparklings.
Playing with them made him realize that, someday, he wanted sparklings too. He's never considered it before because Sentinel and Elita would always change the subject or avoid interacting with them. And if his trine didn't want them, obviously Optimus didn't either.
And officially being with Megatron was so much better, with no 'what if's about it, no hesitation about what would be too much, especially now that they were both on the same page.
They had gone on more dates, official ones this time. To their favorite cafes, to the archives, just relaxing at Optimus' place. They were taking it slow for now, but neither were complaining.
Once, by accident though, Megatron had visited when Optimus was bitty-sitting the sparklings in his home.
The bitties had, of course, been curious about the new, large, shiny mecha they've never seen before. And with their curiosity, they 'investigated'.
Which, in practice meant Megatron had been surrounded by the sparklings before they decided to use him as a jungle gym, climbing up however they could.
"Optimus, what's this?" He asked, as he grabbed one that had climbed over his head before it fell.
" 'Jackie, Ratch, and 'Cee wanted a break so they dropped off their sparklings and bailed. Here, let me help you, Slag bites." Optimus offered, gently grabbing one that was hanging off of Megatron's shoulder.
They worked together to carefully remove the sparklings from Megatron. Well all but Grimlock, who stayed wrapped around Megatron's leg. But since there was a low risk he would hurt himself, Optimus had left him there.
With a bit of coaxing, Optimus had corralled the rest of the sparklings into the playpen, even if he knew they would find a way out eventually.
"You're good with them," Megatron commented casually, as he successfully pried Grimlock off his leg, with the promise of sitting him on his shoulder.
"Well, they're bitties, it's not that har- Swoop get down from there!" Optimus rushed across the room to reach the smallest sparkling, who had somehow climbed almost to the top of the shelf next to their playpen.
"Yes, not that hard indeed," Megatron chuckled, Grimlock laughing with him, even if the sparkling didn't know why.
"You know, you're not so bad yourself," Optimus said, as he reached up to offer Grimlock his bottle of sparkling-energon.
Megatron grimaced as he felt the now sticky servos grab onto his helm, but dutifully kept hold of the sparkling to make sure he doesn't fall.
Optimus stepped closer to him, still holding Swoop, to lean into Megatron in a facsimile of a hug. Optimus was getting better with physical affection, but Megatron felt different.
It was different from Bumblebee grabbing onto him, Bulkhead's spontaneous hugs, Ratchet's smacks disguising his affection, Jazz's easy pats on the nearest body part he could reach, or Prowl's casually leaning into his personal space.
Either way, Megatron respected his boundaries, and never pushed for more than Optimus was ready to offer, which Optimus was eternally grateful for.
"Hmm, you wanna know something else we find attractive?" Megatron purred into Optimus' audials, from where he was still leaning into him.
"Sure?" Optimus wasn't sure why Megatron was bringing this up now.
"Being good with sparklings. Nothing wins over a war frame faster than showing competency when it comes to bitlets, myself included,"
"Megatron!" Optimus whisper-shouted, not wanting to alert the sparklings about this. The nerve on that bot, to talk about something as nonsensical as that, Optimus thought, as he rocked the sparkling in his arms subconsciously, unaware of the way Megatron was looking at him.
And so, time passed. Optimus slowly, finally, breaking out of his shell, supported every step of the way by his friends, his family. And Megatron, of course.
Their relationship had evolved, somehow nothing like how they started, and yet the exact same. In fact, they had settled with each other so much, Optimus felt confident enough to visit one of his former trine-mates.
"Optimus, it's been a while," Blackarachnia greeted, surprised when she her former trine-mate had reached out to her after so long of radio silence.
"Yeah, it has. I just wanted to see if we could catch up?" He asked. She had tried reaching out a few times, but Optimus had shied away, so he won't take it too bad if she shot him down.
"Sure, if you want,"
"Also, can I bring someone?"
And so, they had arranged a meeting, the two of them and their partners, at a nearby park, a neutral enough space.
They had met up, and chatted about everything that happened since they parted ways.
"I'm glad you were also able to move on, Optimus," Blackarachnia had said, as they had stood up to leave.
Optimus looked over at Megatron, who had quietly sat next to Optimus the whole time as moral support.
"Yeah, I am too," He replied, with a smile.
After, they had parted ways, Blackarachnia and Slipstream needing to get to some appointment or other.
Optimus offered to take a walk around the park, taking Megatron's servo in his. Megatron had stared at their joined servos for longer than he cared to admit, as his processor connected the dots to what Optimus wasn't saying.
See, Optimus, even with their dates being more frequent and public, was still very shy about physical affection. Oh sure, in his hab they were always together, but in public? Never.
Megatron knew it had something to do with the 'what if' of his former trine seeing them together, but him doing this, now?
It was clear as ever, Optimus was ready to move on, fully. It appears that Blackarachnia's words were almost like a blessing, exactly what Optimus needed to let go.
Megatron met Optimus' shy smile with a confident grin of his own, as they started walking around servo in servo, just like any other couple.
Of course, it couldn't all be perfect, Megatron thought as Sentinel of all mechs stood outside Optimus' hab.
They had been curled up on Optimus' couch reading their own things when they had heard a knock. Optimus had opened the door to find-
"Sentinel?" Optimus whispered, as if saying it too loudly would break the spell and reveal nobot there.
"Optimus, my better third, it's been so long, can I come in?" Sentinel asked, as he invited himself right in.
Optimus stared after Sentinel for a few kliks, before he closed the door. Then he followed after Sentinel, who had made himself quite at home on his armchair. Optimus hadn't hesitated in returning to Megatron's embrace.
"So, Optimus, how's it been since, y'know, Elita's accident?" Sentinel decided to start, choosing the worst starter possible.
Megatron, although he didn't show it, was worried that by simply showing up, Sentinel would undo all their careful progress. He knows it was difficult for Optimus, but they had made it, and they were perfectly happy, no thanks to Sentinel.
"Oh, I've been just fine. Did you know a broken trine bond is hard to overcome without any support?"
"That's nic- What? No, it's… out trine isn't broken Optimus," Sentinel said slowly, as if he were talking to a sparkling and not his former trine-mate.
"Yes it is? You and 'Rachnia had that horrible argument, and both abandoned me, what else is that supposed to be, Sentinel?" Optimus pointed out. He'd never fought Sentinel before, but this was… where was he even going with this?
"Oh that? Pshh, that was just a little disagreement, besides, our trine was with Elita, not Blackarachnia. And we didn't 'abandon' you, we just went our separate ways, y'know, our own thing?"
"That's literally abandoning me. You and Elita had isolated me from everybot else, and then when the two of you had that fight, I had nobot left." Optimus argued.
"I would consider that the definition of being abandoned, wouldn't you?" Megatron interjected.
Sentinel then turned to face him, as if he hadn't noticed him at all. And Megatron saw that spark of recognition, frag.
"Megatron?!" Sentinel squawked in shock.
"You know him?" Optimus asked, "Wait, you knew Blitzwing too, are you decepticon high command, Megatron?"
"You could say that," Megatron answered cryptically. He smirked at Sentinel, they both knew he can't say anything, that would violate their treaty.
"We're getting off topic. Optimus, how about we go out for a spin one of these days, just like did before? Just you and me," Sentinel suggested, clearly ignoring the way Optimus was perched on Megatron's lap.
"No."
"So I was think- What do you mean no?"
"I mean no, Sentinel. You and 'Rachnia broke our trine, broke me, and I struggled for so long just trying to piece myself back together. Do you know how much pain I was in? How desperate I was for anybot to just spend any time with me? You and Elita were my everything, and you both left me like it was nothing! At least Blackarachnia had the decency to try and keep contact, I was rejected by you at every turn! So no, Sentinel, I won't 'go for a spin' with you. As far as I'm concerned, you are nothing to me, just how I was clearly nothing to you,"
"But-but…"
"You heard him, get out, or I'll throw you out myself," Megatron threatened, baring his fangs.
"You know what, fine! I'll go, but don't expect me to give you another chance Optimus. Clearly you didn't miss me so bad, if you've already settled with somebot new." Sentinel sneered as he stalked out.
As soon as he was gone and the door closed behind him, Optimus fell slack, like a puppet with their strings cut.
Megatron could feel Optimus start crying, and he gently wrapped his arms around him, holding him as he broke down. Megatron had never felt helpless before, but there was nothing he could do besides hold and try and soothe Optimus.
He can't imagine how hard that must have been, standing up to the mech he spent so much time chasing after, especially with Sentinel's parting words.
But Megatron couldn't understand what Sentinel's angle was, he had spent so long ignoring Optimus, did he think Optimus would come running to him, be at his beck and call again if he just showed up?
Optimus was stronger than that. Even if right now, Optimus let himself be weak, knowing Megatron would keep him safe. He let Optimus cry, mourn what will never be again.
It was clear some deep, hidden, part of Optimus had still held onto the hope he could have his trine back, but this confrontation had utterly destroyed it.
At least, however, it had granted Optimus that last bit of closure he will need to move on. Megatron just wished it could've happened on better terms.
But Optimus will pull through, he just needs time.
Sure enough, Optimus had bounced back, and stronger than ever. Even if he had avoided Blackarachnia for a while.
Megatron had pulled Jazz aside to quietly tell him to never bring Sentinel up again, just in case though. One can never be too sure.
Now, just one more thing left to do, before Megatron can ask Optimus to be his.
Just… how exactly does one go about telling their partner that they've been going out with the widely feared, effusive, never seen by almost any mecha, and those that have sworn into secrecy, lord of the decepticons?
Ehh, Megatron will figure it out, it'll be fine. Either way, he doesn't need to tell Optimus right now, they're not there yet.
But they will be, and someday Megatron will need the perfect words to explain to Optimus that when he bonds to him, he will also be the consort to the ruler of the decepticons, which is not only it's own huge ceremony, but also brings a slew of duties.
It's going to be fine, Optimus can handle it, and if he can't, then that's what second in commands are for. He's not leaving Optimus to handle those responsibilities alone, he's not a monster.
But once Optimus is settled and comfortable in his new role, Megatron hopes Optimus is open to sparklings. Primus, when Megatron had seen him handle those sparklings, it had sent his spark spinning.
Hopefully some day, but not today. Today is about Optimus, as Megatron got reminded by the way everybot is circling around his beloved.
Some day, Optimus will be his, just how he's already Optimus'.
When Optimus is ready, Megatron will be waiting.