A/N: This was a short tidbit that I wrote for a friend who requested TFA Optimus x Sentinel Prime. It can either be seen as a pairing or as a brotherly bond. Short and sweet.
-KNIGHT
There was just no explaining to anyone the dynamics between Optimus and Sentinel Prime.
Sentinel was a pompous insensitive arrogant prick that only thought of himself and his own personal glory.
At least, that's the way he seemed to everyone that didn't really know him.
He hadn't always been that way.
Of course, Sentinel had always been pompous. But then again, so had Optimus.
They'd once been rule breakers. They walked the line believing themselves to be above it all. All they cared about was glory.
It had been Sentinel's idea to go to that planet, but they had all agreed to go.
Sentinel blamed Optimus for the accident. Optimus had failed to save her. Optimus could have protested her decision to keep her ego and get herself out of there. He could have carried her. He could have gone after her. That was the short story, anyways.
Optimus blamed himself. He allowed the blame to fall on him. Accepted it and carried it with him.
The long story was that Sentinel blamed himself for everything. His insecurities, his desperate need to be the hero, his fear of failure all started that day.
Optimus was his strength on that day. It was Optimus that had stepped forward and taken the blame. While he had been surprised when Sentinel had remained silent and not come to his own defense, he couldn't hold it against him.
In Sentinel's world, he couldn't lose his position. He needed to rise up and gain power and authority.
He had to protect Optimus. To protect Cybertron. Sentinel had to be the Knight of the people.
They needed a hero to keep them safe. If Sentinel could, he'd probably take every Cybertronian and wrap them up in his arms, keeping them safe behind his shield forever.
Irritation came from Optimus' refusal to stay safe behind his shield. If Optimus wanted to go off and get slagged, then that was his own business.
As much as he put on a front, it was the knowledge that Optimus didn't want his protection that hurt the most.
With Ultra Magnus out of commission, he had stayed on earth longer than needed. He clung to Optimus like a nightlight in the unknown darkness.
What if the people didn't want him? What if the people rejected him? What if he wasn't good enough to save them?
Optimus bravely wandered through the dark unknown, guiding him. Every day, he could see Optimus growing brighter and further away from him.
Optimus would rise up someday. He could be the leader the people needed, but could he be their knight? As a leader, he would be open to every attack. The often naive and trusting Optimus Prime was not prepared to face all of Cybertron.
Sentinel could take it. He had to take it. Had to protect his friend.
Putting on a show of bravery and commanding arrogance, he could only hope that some of it would rub off and become true.
He would ask the people to accept him. He would guide Cybertron and do his best to keep it safe.
If he failed… If his shield was shattered and his lance broke into a million pieces, he knew that Optimus would always be there for him. Optimus would save Cybertron from any mistakes he made… But until that day came, he would keep it safe while Optimus continued to grow and burn bright enough to guide all of Cybertron.