The American Southwest is baking under a serve heat warning (waves hand). My plot bunnies were contemplating how the Bots and humans would endure State side.

Title: Burn Baby Burn

Paring: Optimus Prime/Sam W

Will/Ironhide if you squint

Rating: PG for swearing but mostly fluffy goodness.

Series: This is a stand alone but runs concurrent to Belong

Rights: The Bots and humans belong in the Bayverse and thus Michael Bay. Plus Hasbro, I'm only borrowing them. Mythbusters belongs to Discovery Channel.

Setting: Holloman AFB. NM

The heat wave was entering day five and had spawned its on news stories that were a prominent feature. All personal had orders to be outdoors only if absolutely necessary due to the deadly conditions. That included enlisted, civilian, and even mecs. When not meeting with various military dignitaries in the specially designed hanger. They, the ones closest to the Lennox family parked their alt modes next to his house. In a specially built pole barn, it kept them close at hand and out of the elements. For them we're an irritating at most and inconvenient at worst.

That said current conditions were down right uncomfortable. Causing their holo forms to flicker and fade from time to time. They were considered an extra tax on their already stressed resources. Granted they weren't the humans and thus could endure weeks of the weather if needed. It still put a strain on them.

Said humans, it depended on their training and individual bodily tolerance. Most of them had a tipping point. Those that had trained and worked in certain situations under the NM heat normally had a high tolerance. Lennox and his crew were among that category. Sam was about in the middle. He had endured similar during the battle in Egypt. Had grown accustom the NW heat in general.

But this, Ratchet noted with fascination was beyond his tolerance. It was also he knew from personal interactions with Sam. It left the youngling unsettled when the heat rose. It was reminder of his time in Egypt and the death that had stalked him. "Fragging nosy is what you are. Quit observing and start working." Irnonhide comment as he stomped past in bipedal mode.

"The faster we finish the faster we go home for the day." Home was Will's house and he considered his mates residence his own "This is necessary case studies to record the fragility of the dominate species of this planet. And the fact that the Cons do not take days off weather included." The red and white CMO ignored Hide for the most part. Hide wasn't vain but he was proud of his glossy black exterior especially in alt mode. Will often said it turned the heads of humans and mecs alike. The increased high temperatures had him looking for shade whenever he could get it. No sense marring his paint job.

Finally pulling into the pole barn next to Will's house he parked and sighed. Settling on his tires he glanced around at the other vehicles parked around him. There was Bumblebee's retro throwback black and gold 1967 Chevy Camaro. And the stately bulk of Optimus Peterbilt 379. Settling in to recharge and talk with his fellow Bots Hide activated his holo form. Being in the shade and for the most part relaxing it wouldn't tax him nearly as much. They could feel hot and cold, sense the difference between rain and snow. Though it was an illusion, one that took time and experience on Earth to cultivate.

The change from shad to sun even for the short walk into the house had him sweating.. Another human bodily experience that added to the illusion. One that frankly he found annoying. Dripping liquid off ones chasse for the sake of cooling was inferior. Grumbling he opened the front door and sighed at the wave of cool air which greeted him. The human penchant for changing climates indoors at will was nice. The sounds of a heated discussion had him aiming for the kitchen.

"It's for science!" The voice of Adam Savage from Mythbusters greeted him. Bumblebee enjoyed punctuating sentences with music or vocal clips even in holo form. "Yeah, science and more science. Come on when are we ever going to get this chance again." Sam added a bit rambly from his seat in the breakfast nook. The homework piled around him forgotten for a moment. Hide smiled leaning against the door jam to watch. Their scout was forever pushing the boundaries and it drove the older mecs fritzzy. "We need at least six eggs, three for the pavement and three for my alt mode." Bumblebee hastily wrote on a scrap of paper. "Don't forget the foil and spatula. Don't want the eggs to peel your paint. "Sam added eagerly. He moved to gather supplies from the pantry.

"Hey if Adam Savage can do this so can we",He was cut off mid-sentence by one word. Will even paused with prepping dinner. "STOP!" All bodies in the room ceased their various activities and turned to look in the direction of the command. "No one is going to do anything with eggs for any reason on any surface. Do I make myself clear?" Heads nodded all around. The Prime had quickly gone from amused observation to downright annoyance at the younglings. Who were old enough and thus should have known better. "Good" Optimus said again firmly with a touch of finality. Sighing at his bonded's cessation to their project Sam sat down. He could have sworn he noticed a flash of mischief in the Elder's corn flower blue eyes. For all his stately mannerisms and war weary appearance at times. He knew Optimus had a well-hidden playful streak. One long buried after eons of battle and loss.

"That doesn't look like studying'" he told Sam quietly. Nervously glancing up Sam tried to save himself but it was hopeless. Ambassador for the Autobots he may be. But in private he could never, ever hope to get something past Optimums. Chewing on his lip he simply nodded and returned to doodling on his Algebra homework. It helped take his mind off the heat and his fragging cast.

The battle in Egypt had broken his right hand in twelve different places. Mostly the finger bones which had translated to a long line of various casts. Including the current one, this was inflatable. Made of rigid plastic slats closet's to his skin. Soft pockets of rubber covered the outside looking like a water wing. It covered his hand down to the wrist. It left only his thumb free. Only to be removed when showering or bathing. That included the pool which made him uncoordinated. It wasn't even good for adornment. Remembering how Bumblebee wanted to add to the hoped for well-wishing signatures from his friends. A string of non G rated words. That aside it itched. Unholy, eye watering, room spinning must scratch it. Every time he even thought of doing so earned him a slap upside the head. Will had suggest a rolled up newspaper or magazine. Sam was threatened with both whenever he tried. Currently he was trying to work the end of his pencil down inside the plastic plates. Realizing he had been found out he stopped. All he could do was look sheepish and return to his notes. Not before adding

"Never thought a Hawaiian shirt would look good on you." A thin black eyebrow arched upward at the comment. Each bot had an overall favorite appearance in clothing choice. It varied to mimic the humans around them. Optimus however never appeared in anything but his dark blue Wranglers and various red colored shirts. Only changing those due to the weather; long sleeved button downs for the cold and short sleeved or a plain t-shirt for warmer weather.

How anyone had talked the Prime into his current choice of shirt minus shoes or socks was beyond anyone's comprehension. The idea certainly hadn't come from Sam. Though the boy who was trying not to laugh. Had for the entirety of said heat wave had been the primary suspect. What an incongruous figure his bonded made. Imposing voice and manner but sporting a deep red with white print Hawaiian shirt. "We have the breadth of human culture and adornment spread before us. Why not put that to good use." Optimus said smiling at Sam.

"Change is great!" Bumblebee agreed and switched his holo form mid step. Gone was a mid-twenty year old male. In his place was a mid-twenties year old female. Similar to his male form but sporting different attire. Of all the mecs Bee played fast and loose with his appearance and gender. Changing mostly out of boredom and enjoying the corresponding attire. "Gotta stop that Bee. Distracting good looks aside you will call attention to yourself." Sam said laughing. "Plus you're already making our professor suspicious. Students dropping a class or skipping a day is one thing. Total and complete gender change. With different clothing is another" Sighing dramatically Bee changed back to his usual summer look. Surfer boy casual, if said boy was Native and called NM home. None of the mecs had any concern with humanity's expression of gender, roles, and fashion. It was simply another set of information to process.

The TV in the kitchen turned to the local news was announcing the evening's temperatures. Will turned up the volume as everyone watched. The overly sunbaked and sagging news caster tried to remain cheery. Suffering through whichever higher up had demanded an outdoor shot. They failed while still attempting to be professional while appearing to melt. Groans issued forth from all the humans assembled. The forecast was record breaking temperatures through the weekend. With the only relief, "only" being low 100s for the next week. Sam tried to hide his nervousness at the forecast. The streak of hot weather had him remembering Egypt, of all the chaos and death experienced. Both He and Optimus had died there in that killing heat. The only good to come of this was it eased the cold. Teeth chattering bone aching that came from the dreams. One that left him feeling alone and devoid of all bodily warmth.

The patio next to the pool didn't offer much shade or respite from the heat. Once the sun began to set however it did offer some relief. That was mostly in the form of the sun not being directly overhead. With the current temperature in the low 90s the bots decided to cool off in the pool. Bumblebee forgot about the aborted science project and changed once again. Neon yellow and white board shorts with black flip flops. He was the first one running for the back doors that opened out onto the patio. A short while later a loud splash resonated inside. All assembled knowing that Bee had executed a cannon ball.

A low amused chuckle came from Optimus. The Elder smiled, mirth crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Those of us that have made Earth fall. Bumblebee is the youngest. Because he only knew the war, he has taken to Earth's more relaxed and fun pleasures." He offered a hand to Sam pulling the boy to his feet. He knew of his bonded's unease over the changing weather. He also knew Sam loved the water and enjoyed being in the pool. His swimming was limited to floating and lounging in an inner tube. "I'll meet you outside" He said softly to Sam and gave his good shoulder a nudge in support. "Hope you ditch the Wranglers!" Will teasingly commented. All of them knew very few humans or mecs we're afforded that familiarity with Prime. Optimus only turned and nodded in response as he headed for the patio and the pool beyond. Ironhide begged off swimming saying he wanted to fully recharge. Will completed the dinner prep and went to their room to change.

Sam was always the slowest to change and last outside. He had firmly established boundaries with Optimus in the weeks following his injury. That included dressing himself and getting around the house and garage. While independent though he was it also made him slow. His cast had been replaced for a cloth brace. It allowed him to swim while keeping his hand immobile. Still it greatly limited his ability to do more than dog paddle or float. It also caused him to be quietly watched by whoever was swimming with him. There was a small chance he would exhaust himself and sink. That would cause him to flounder to regain the surface and safety. Fluffy green towel placed on the nearest lounge chair he removed his t-shirt. His back and upper thighs were littered with scars. They were living mementos which unlike his hand would never heal. Being in safe company quieted the feeling of being broken.

He smiled at Bumblebee who was balancing on the edge of the diving board. While not very high the bounced it provided. Was enough to launch the person on it a satisfying long distance into the pool. Will and Bee would often get into a diving contest. Going until they were both exhausted. Optimus was lounging in the shallow end. Back propped against the wall sitting in water up to his hips. The Elder in human form was just as imposing as his other forms. At 6'3 he towered over most humans around him. It also gave him the ability to rest his chin on top of Sam's head. Which drove his bonded fritzy. But he knew Sam privately enjoyed the feeling of safety as Optimus enfolded him in a hug. He had in fact forgone his usual Wrangles. Royal blue swim shorts had taken their place. Each of the bots had a favorite color or favorite colors. His was deep blue and fiery red. Ironhide sported various shades of black and grey while Bumblebee preferred sunny yellow. Sideswipe enjoyed silver and Ratchet's favorite combo was red and white. No surprise there the CMO's alt mode was an ambulance.

Stepping into the pool he ducked underwater and resurfaced acclimating himself to the water. It was bath tub warm without a trace of a chill. Sweeping arrant bits of hair off his face he walked over to Optimus. Who draped an arm around and pulled him close. Sam relinquished his outward appearance of having it all together. To rest his head on the offered shoulder while his lower half floated. 'Better?" was the lazy question as he settled. "Mmmhmm" was the reply too tired of the heat to muster a proper response.

They both watched as Will appeared and tackled an unaware Bumblebee off the diving board. "That was a dirty move" The yellow bot bitched once he surfaced spluttering. "When have I ever been fair when it comes to pranking or punking." Will said smugly as he swam around. He glanced around for the inflatable raft. It was more a inflatable lounge chair. Spying it he floated it Sams direction. When it came into reach the boy heaved onto it. Now he could save energy swimming er floating. Optimus gave it a shove with his foot and sent it sailing back towards the deep end. He could sense the youngers frustration at being reduced to pool float fodder. The Elder sent several thoughts along their bond. Ones of that it won't be forever and calm.

Resolved to his fate Sam settled back and closed his eyes. It was just the thing to make him forget his cast. Which was still itching that was rude. The sound of Bumblebee plopping down the metal drink bucket broke his revere. Cracking an eye he saw Bee dig through the ice in the metal tub. Emerging with a variety of cold drinks balanced in both hands. "Show off!" Sam called in response. "I may be a show off but you love this pool boy." Bee replied with an air kiss.

Collectively they could almost hear Ratchet complaining. About their beverage choices but it didn't stop them. Primus knew Optimus mused they had all ben consuming large quantities of water. So they had earned this much needed change. It was beers for Will and Optimus, Arrogant Bastard and a Corona respectively. He handed Sam a Dr. Pepper and grabbed a Coke for himself. His pain medication had nixed any alcohol which sucked he told everyone. Placing the soda in the cup holder he leaned back and closed his eyes again. Soaking in the moment of calm and comfortableness knowing it wouldn't last for long.

Fin

Authors notes: First up thanks for all the favorites,comments,follows etc.

Second thanks for putting up with me not having a Beta.

Third long list of notes below.

1) Optimus's alt mode is my favorite of all of his. It was used up until the fourth film and I morn the change.

2) Bumblbee's alt mode is taken directly from AOE and is again my favorite of his alt modes. Gotta love a classic Chevy.

3 )Google pole barn if you want to know what one looks like. Needed a place close to the house for them to park.

4) How could Will afford that house on his salary? Gave him one heck of a pay raise for all the crud he's been through.

5) Ratchets alt mode and personality are based off his appearance in Transformers Prime.

6 ) Holloman AFB is real and somewhere in the Bayverse lore it is cannon. Having grown up around two MBs and knowing that active duty personal have been used in all the films . I wanted it to be a nod to all of those.

7) Sams hand being busted up. That's part of ROTF to a certain extent but was never explained in the film. I love torturing Sam and he couldn't have gone through that without some serious injuries.