When the GroundBridge opened and everyone came through, all human and Cybertronian figures stood in awe at the sights around them. They had arrived on top of a huge mountain, surrounded by a snowy landscape. More mountains towered around them, the air chilly and the day clear. The sky was almost cloudless and the sun shone down on glistening snow, its rays of light almost blinding.
"Optimus…" Jack said, his warm breath sending clouds of vapor billowing in front of him. "Where exactly did you bridge us to?"
Ratchet glanced at the scanner in his servo. "It seems we're on… Mount Cook, located in the Southern Alps in New Zealand."
Miko looked up at the medic. "Did you say Mount Cook?"
"Yes, I did," he replied, though he didn't meet her gaze, transfixed with the beautiful view around him.
"No way! Dude, this is where they filmed The Hobbit!" She said excitedly, turning back to the landscape.
"How do you know that?" Raf asked, trying to get rid of the fog on his glasses.
"Haven't you watched any of the special features? All the places seen in the three movies is New Zealand. None of it was CGI!" She gestured to all the mountains. "You can see Mount Cook in Desolation of Smaug!"
"What is this Hobbit?" Ironhide asked, stooping down to scoop up a servo full of snow. "I like the sound of desolation."
"'Hide!" Chromia elbowed him and scowled when he chuckled.
Miko opened her mouth to explain, but Jack clamped a gloved hand over her mouth before she could start ranting. "It's a movie series about an evil ring, Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, and Men. They have to team up to defeat an army of Orcs and save Middle-Earth."
"That sounds awesome!" Bumblebee beeped excitedly. "I want that movie for the next movie night!"
"I second that motion!" Miko said loudly after Raf translated like no one could hear her.
Jack groaned and Raf face palmed as the 'Bots around laughed at the humans' antics.
Jazz held up the slab of metal he was planning to use as a sled. "Let's get this party started, man!"
He ran ahead before dropping it on the slope and threw himself down on it, a whirlwind of snow flying up behind him. Ironhide and Bulkhead followed suit, and then sent the kids running after them.
"This is ridiculous," Ratchet grumbled, slipping the scanner in his subspace and scowling at the team as they shot down the long slope. Arcee and Bumblebee were having a foot race to see who could catch up with the rest as they picked up speed. "This 'sledding' activity provides several situations where you could fly off and fatally harm yourself."
"I'm going to fatally harm you if you complain the whole time," Firestar snapped. "Prime wanted to a team bonding activity, and that means you have to join in too."
"Hey! Wait for me!" Chromia shouted excitedly, transforming and revving her engine before taking off down the steep slope. She didn't get very far, however, her form sinking rabidly in the powdery snow. But the heat of her frame melted a good layer away from her, so she made the most of it and sped off under the several feet of snow like a tunneling mammal.
Ratchet scowled, but Firestar shoved him forward, pushing him face first into the snow. Elita, who had been standing off to the side watching the group, chuckled at the old couple's bickering. They were always fighting about something, whether is was in front of everyone or in private. But then again that was probably why they loved each other so much. There was always something to fight about, and always an opinion to be voiced.
As the team (who had gone down a long ways down the mountain) climbed back up for round two, Elita was suddenly aware that Optimus wasn't next to her, like he had been when they had arrived. He hadn't joined the group to sled (probably never would), and he hadn't said where he was going. She looked around, and finally found him climbing the mountain, heading for the very top of its summit. He walked with surprising ease on the steep, snowy slope, never once looking at his peds. He kept his helm tilted up to the sky, determined to get to the very point of Mt. Cook.
"Hey Elita, wanna join?" Miko asked from atop Bulkhead's shoulder.
"No, thank you though," she replied, not taking her optics off her distant mate.
As the human girl shrugged and yelled excitedly to the others to go again, Elita began climbing up the mountain to meet him. It was harder than it looked. The snow had been softened from Optimus' impressive weight, and it was making it difficult to walk on as it slid down and crunched under her peds.
"How does he make everything look so effortlessly?" she said through gritted denta, slipping and sliding down the powdery layer of snow.
Elita tried walking in his pedsteps, and that helped a little. She looked up at him again, and saw that he had reached the summit. She wondered if he knew she was coming or not. Elita looked down at the group below her, and saw that everyone was sledding now, including the grumpy medic. She smiled as she watched Jazz endo over his slab, stand up, and get mowed over by Ironhide and Chromia. It was good to see everyone having fun.
Elita finally made it to the peak, her slightly labored venting sending clouds of vapor in front of her face. Optimus was standing with his back turned to her, gazing out at the mountain range spread out around him. Climbing to this vantage point allowed a better view of the landscape, which stretched onto green plain with a massive lake within the area. The snow absorbed all sound and noise, making the experience seem unreal. It was truly stunning, and she understood why he had climbed all the way up here.
"Such a beautiful planet," Optimus spoke, not turning to look at her. "Much unlike our decimated Cybertron."
Elita smiled softly as she touched his servo. "It is indeed a beautiful planet. I can see why you want to protect this place, and the human race."
Optimus finally turned to her, smiling softly as he took her servo in his. "If you are worried I think this planet is more beautiful than you, your thought is false."
She giggled, leaning into the tall Prime. "I wasn't thinking about that, silly. I was wondering why you set up this team bonding activity only to seperate yourself from the others."
His face fell into the emotionless mask that Elita had grown to hate. "Rafael once asked to come to the Arctic with Arcee and I when we were on a scouting mission, claiming he had never seen snow." He turned to look at the team below, continuing to sled down the massive slope. "I promised him I would bring him a snowball back, but was unable to follow through due to the scraplet infestation. Once I had recovered and you and the others had arrived, the idea of taking everyone to this location came to be. Rafael could have his chance to see the cold marvel, and the team could grow closer together in such dark times."
Elita was silent for a moment. "You were always a mech of your word. But what about you? Shouldn't you be down there with your friends and teammates?"
Optimus replied immediately. "My place as Prime forbids me from taking place in parties and activities. I cannot afford to let my emotions shine forth."
"This is bullscrap," Elita snapped, releasing his servo. "If that statement were true, we wouldn't be bonded. Stop saying you can't be part of the fun just because you hold the Matrix in your chestplating."
"But-"
"No buts! You are coming down to finally spend some time with your team that would give your lives for you!" And with that, she kicked him in the popliteal fossa and shoved him forward.
Caught off guard, the Prime teetered forward and eventually nosedived down the snowy mountain, quite ungracefully. Elita was eventually roaring with laughter as Optimus tried to prevent himself from tumbling any further, only succeeding in getting covered in snow and catching everyone's attention from below.
"Why is Optimus falling down the mountain?" Raf asked in confusion.
"I think Elita pushed him down it!" Miko couldn't help herself, and was soon laughing her head off along with everyone else. Even Ratchet seemed to enjoy seeing the mighty Prime falling down the mountain.
But the fun didn't last too long, and when Optimus regained his balance he looked up at Elita, who was clutching her abdomen as she roared with laughter. She caught his optic, immediately stopping and becoming a little wary when he slid his battle mask on.
"Optimus…" she asked slowly, backing up a little.
His voice erupting with a loud battle cry, and he abruptly charged her. Surprised and unable to react, Elita was tackled over the summit and down the other side of the mountain. The two mates tumbled down the slope, out of sight to the team below.
"Wonder what that's all about," Bulkhead said first.
"At least they're having fun," Ratchet grumbled. "Optimus rarely goes outside the base and when he does it's just for patrol."
"Why is Prime so distant again?" Jack asked.
The 'Bots shrugged, not really wanting to get into that at the moment.
Meanwhile, Optimus and Elita were still endowing down the mountain, out of view from the others.
"Optimus!" Elita yelled. "What the slag are you doing?!"
Her mate didn't respond, only wrapped his arms around her tightly as they slid to a halt, scattered snow tumbling down around them. Elita opened her optics, finding Optimus above her with the empty sky surrounding his helm. He retracted his battle mask, a small smile on his face. She stared up at the Prime, realizing she was sprawled in the snow when he held her close to him as he knelt over her.
"W-what-" she sputtered as the smile on Optimus' face grew.
Optimus gently placed a finger over her mouth. "You told me to have some fun, and I cannot do this in front of the team."
Before Elita could ask what he meant, he brought her closer and planted his lips on hers. She immediately stopped fighting, placing a servo on the side of his helm. When they pulled away Elita was smiling as well.
"Clever mech," she purred, tracing his antenna.
Optimus grinned, leaning into her touch. "I could not have Ironhide making jokes in front of the children."
Elita snorted. "Even with Chromia his flappy mouth gets out of control sometimes."
Optimus chuckled slightly, causing Elita to relish the rare sound. "You're not wrong."
They stayed like that a moment longer, Elita stroking her mate's face and Optimus protectively holding her. Neither of them wanted to acknowledge reality and leave the other's grasp.
"There you two are!" A booming voice suddenly came from above.
Panicked, Optimus scrambled off Elita and helped her to her peds, making sure they were presentable before they both looked up. Ironhide was at the summit with a devilish grin on his faceplate, while Chromia and Jazz crested the mountain and came into view. The others followed close behind. Both Optimus and Elita felt their faceplates flame, and just as Ironhide was about to pull a joke, Miko yelled down to them.
"Hey! This side of the mountain is way better than the other side for sledding! Good choice, love birds!"
"You're welcome!" Elita shouted back, giggling slightly in embarrassment.
"I swear to Primus if anyone else calls us love birds…." Optimus grumbled, turning out of their view.
Elita laughed and patted his arm playfully. "Oh, I'm sure you would Orion."
