Optics scanning the room with a sense of contented relief, Laurelin stepped forward and began inspecting the room with a sort of reserved curiosity. Her digit tips ran along the smooth surfaces of the cabinets and then, the large circular table in the center of what appeared to be the main room of Prime's personal quarters. Though her gaze began to drift to the other doorways, Laurelin's focus was drawn to a holographic representation of a solar system that she wasn't familiar with. Nonetheless, the intricate details and design of the holographic – along with the way it slowly shifted between color scheme – fascinated her. Leaning forward and cerulean optics adjusting to focus on the minute details : Laurelin felt a small smile tug at the corner of her lips, when she could see what appeared to be the small moons of one of the planets rotating around it slowly in a close orbit.
Her smile widened when she heard Prime's footfalls behind her. Laurelin straightened her posture and she started to turn around as well.
Optimus's hand rested lightly on her hip.
Laurelin just made a soft laugh and leaned against the larger mech. She looked up at him, reaching up to stroke the side of his face. « It's all quite pretty. » She stated, her gaze going back to the holograph.
Though she couldn't see it, Optimus's gaze stayed on the femme when he replied : « Yes. That's quite true. »
Turning her gaze back up to her mate : Laurelin smiled and snuggled up against Optimus, earning a soft chuckle from the Prime. « And the whole place so comfly and welcoming… ! » She commented, excitement lacing her voice.
« Does it ? » Optimus inquired, glancing around. « I wasn't sure if you would find it comfortable. I had prepared to alter it as needed, but- »
« Shh, shh... » Laurelin shushed, interrupting him as she grasped Optimus's forearms and guided them around her midsection.
Promptly picking up on the gesture : Optimus hugged the femme close, a gentle smile on his features as he leaned forward and nuzzled his face against the side of Laurelin's helm.
The femme made a soft giggle and tilted her head to the side, her gaze going back to the room.
« I should give you a tour of the rest of the rooms, shouldn't I ? » Optimus murmured, his voice soft against Laurelin's audial receptors even though he didn't move nor relinquish his embrace around his mate.
It was true. He'd been mildly concerned how Laurelin would take to their new home, even though she'd already had extensive exposure to Cybertronian life and technology. Quietly grateful that he kept things as neat and tidy as possible : Optimus felt himself relax a little, when he heard Laurelin make a contented sigh before speaking.
« Hmn... maybe... » Laurelin answered with a coy smile upon her lips, as she turned around to face Optimus. « But in a little bit. »
Before Optimus could inquire further : Laurelin leaned up and softly kissed her mate, a contented hum thrumming from her as she did so.
Prime promptly reciprocated the action, one arm around Laurelin's waist as he pulled her close. His free hand caressed the side of the femme's face and is thumb digit traced along the edge of her helm.
Laurelin smiled into the kiss : « Well… That's better. » She commented softly, pulling back. She then teasingly gripped Optimus's chin. « Now… You can give me the guided tour. »
Chuckling : Optimus grasped Laurelin's hand and walked her to the nearest doorway, quickly flicking the control so that the door slid open with a soft swishing noise.
Laurelin peeked in, optics quickly taking in the layout.
There was a desk of sorts with a well worn, but taken care of chair and shelves of datapads on the wall directly to the left of the desk. The other walls were dotted with more holographic images, though these were notably smaller and displayed relaxing images.
« This would be my study, as it were. I haven't used it in what seems like forever, but... There were other matters to attend to. » Optimus explained, glancing down to the femme. Once again, he was attempting to gauge her reaction to the new surroundings. And, once again : He found himself silently relieved and happy that Laurelin still appeared to be more than susceptive.
« Well… Now, you have the time to use it as much as you like. » Laurelin said, looking up at her mate with a smile.
« That I do. » Optimus agreed, his thumb digit lightly running across the top of Laurelin's hand. « Although, I am hoping you might join me at some point. Your company is always welcome... and wanted. »
Her smile warming, Laurelin nodded in response. She then laughed and darted around Optimus, still holding onto his hand and tugged him towards the next room playfully.
Returning the smile, Optimus allowed himself to be guided towards the next doorway that was down a short hallway. It had always been something that the Prime had appreciated about his mate. Her indomitable spirit and how playful she could be around him. In truth, he found some solace in the rather light-spirited demeanor as he regularly felt the heavy mantle of responsibility that had been placed on his shoulders. So, it warmed and soothed his spark to let himself indulge in Laurelin's own optimism and energy.
Once at the doorway, he reached past Laurelin and opened the door.
Almost immediately, the femme knew what the room was.
The dim lights, personal affections on both a large table against one wall and hanging from both the walls, ceiling and finally, a comfortably padded berth gave away the room's purpose.
« This was my room to recharge and relax in. However... » Prime leaned forward and kissed the side of Laurelin's neck : « It's now ours. »
Making a soft moan, Laurelin leaned her helm against Prime's before nuzzling her face against her mate's. She smiled when she heard Optimus make a contented, quiet laugh.
He held her close, wrapping one arm around Laurelin's waist while his other hand reached down and grasped Laurelin's, his thumb digit resuming slowly running across the top of her hand.
Leaning against the larger mech : Laurelin shuttered off her optics, savoring the moment of quiet with her mate.
Rocking back and forth slowly, the two stood in the threshold to the room for a long moment, both simply enjoying the company of the other.
« Well... What do you think ? » Optimus murmured, his voice a quiet whisper against the side of Laurelin's neck.
« It's wonderful. » Laurelin answered with a smile, shuttering her optics back online. She stepped forward into the room, still holding Prime's hand and gently pulling him into the room with her. She looked around before her sight set on a holographic projection that was at the side of the padded berth. Laurelin stepped towards it, the curiosity getting the better of her. Leaning forward, her hand still loosely holding onto her mate's : Laurelin tilted her head to the side, watching the planets rotate around what appeared to be a large sun with an asteroid belt around it.
« It's beautiful. » She commented, a small smile playing on her lips. « Have you been there already ? »
« Not yet. It's a rather remote system. And, while there are a few outposts that one can check in at : It's still quite a bit of a travel. » After a moment : A somewhat bittersweet smile crossed the Prime's features and he gripped Laurelin's hand a little tighter. « It wasn't exactly a place I could think of visiting up – until now – to be quite honest. »
« I'm going to guess there's quite a few things that you can do now, given... everything that happened. » Laurelin commented, as she stood up straight and turned to face her mate.
Though he nodded, Optimus's smile went a little gentler and he pulled Laurelin close. « And I would like to assume that you would be accompany me on a few of these endeavors ? " He offered, his smile remaining.
« Of course, I will. » Laurelin laughed, stealing a quick kiss from the Prime. « I would like to assume that it's going to be more than just a few. »
« Thank you » Optimus stated softly, catching Laurelin's lips with his and holding her to him. After a moment : He reluctantly pulled back, his gaze flicking over Laurelin's features quickly. « I... There's something that I wanted to ask you, now that we're here. »
« Oh ? » Laurelin tilted her head to the side inquisitively. « And what would that be ? »
There was a moment of hesitation on the Prime's part. He studied Laurelin's features again, seeing only curiosity and a faint lacing of concern in her expression. There was the faint quivers of nervousness in his core, given what he was about to ask but the Prime couldn't think of a better time than now to ask. They both were together and – finall – back home and could live in peace. Smiling softly, he leaned forward and kissed her forehelm lingering there so that he could hold her close as he found his voice to ask his question. « We have all the time in the world now. I can't think of anyone else that I would want to spend that time with. Now, though... Things are notably calmer and safer… So, perhaps... We could try for a family again ? »
Stopping, Laurelin studied her mate's expression for a long moment surprise written on her expression... Until it was slowly replaced with dawning realization and delight. A small laugh escaped her. Laurelin leaned upwards, nuzzling her face against Prime's feeling trembles of excitement ripple through her frame.
Her small laugh was eclipsed by Optimus's soft chuckle, as he held her steady for the moment.
« Really ? » Laurelin whispered, leaning back so that she could look Optimus in the optics.
« Yes… Really. » Came the quiet reply.
It was no real secret why Laurelin had lost her first sparkling. Optimus's purported death had sent shockwaves of grief throughout the team, and none had felt that as strongly as Laurelin. Despite best efforts, she hadn't been able to carry the sparkling to term. Iit was only the return of her mate that alleviated her pain.
Now, though : Things were different. There wasn't such a risk of losing him anymore.
Smiling, Laurelin nodded and kissed Prime gently still feeling the shivers of excitement. A small laugh once again escaped her lips. « Yes. » She answered, her voice housing the faintest of trembles. A ghost of a teasing gleam flickered in both her optics and her tone when she spoke again : « I was a little worried you may not ask, given everything that happened and that we've only been on Iacon for what seems like such a short period of time. »
« That's true. Perhaps we should wait just a little longer, please ? » Optimus asked. « Let us get settled in your new home, and then... maybe… we can try again. »
« Oh… ? Now it's just a maybe ? » Laurelin teased, laughing quietly.
« I just don't want you hurt again. » Optimus stated, kissing Laurelin again. « But I'm not going to deny that I do truly want to have a sparkling with you. We're home now, you and I. We're in far greater safety and security. »
Smiling softly up at her mate, Laurelin returned the kiss with one of her own pressing her smaller frame against Optimus's. Doing so, she earned a quiet, but contented groan from the Prime. Nuzzling her face against Optimus's, Laurelin sighed softly and reluctantly nodded. « I know, and thank you. We can give it a little bit of time to think over then, okay ? »
