Let's just skip the formalities and get on with the story…but please read the A/N at the end of the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime. And FOR THE LAST TIME, it belongs to Hasbro.
XXX
Arcee came to feeling...smaller. Much smaller. "Ah," said a voice from above her. Arcee jumped backwards, startled. Turns out, the voice was Ratchet, who was standing a good 20 feet over Arcee. "I was going to say, would you like to look at yourself?"
"Yeah, sure," Arcee replied, anxious to see what her new body looked like.
Thanks to Ratchet's brilliance, (A/N: What brilliance?) Arcee's holoform was now wearing clothes and had adopted features from her face.
Arcee looked about 26 years old. The holoform's eyes were a sort of bright blue with lavender highlights, and lips full bodied and peach-pink. Her hair was long and black, but there was a lock of pink flowing down the left side. Her arms were athletic and muscular and her body was curvy and perfectly proportioned, with wide hips and a small waist. Coming down from her hips were long, slender legs, and like her arms, athletic and muscular. She was wearing a flowing blue halter top with a smooth black leather jacket, lots of pockets. She was also wearing a well-fitting pair of yoga pants with a light pink elastic waistband. Her shoes complemented perfectly with her outfit; a black sports shoe, decorated by pink and blue highlights. Overall, Arcee was happy with the look.
"So," she began, turning around, "What does Optimus look like?"
Ratchet sighed and pointed to a man standing about 20 meters from herself who was looking at his reflection in a full-length mirror.
Optimus was a fine looking man for 30, to say the least. (A/N: Optimus Fine? Oh, yes…) He had a chiseled jawline and high cheekbones. The eyes were electric blue and seemed to have their own glow. His lips were thin and light pink. His perfect light brown hair was gelled slightly and flew up in small wisps. His whole body was athletic and strong, starting from his arms, to his abs and legs. He was wearing a simple red t-shirt and a grey hoodie with light wash blue jeans that were ripped. He too had blue sports shoes, completed with a red outline.
As if on cue, Optimus turned and faced his girlfriend, awe clearly plastered on his face. He struggled to speak.
"A-Arcee. You...you. Just...wow, just wow!"
"What?" she asked, playing coy, "this old thing?"
"Yes, that old thing."
"Oh, come on, sweetspark. I'm joking."
"I know."
"Good, now give me a kiss."
Optimus smiled and leaned towards his girlfriend. Arcee met him in the middle, and their lips melded. It was sensitive when in their robot form, but now, wow! They could feel everything! The creases and ruffles in each other's top, the firmness of each other's lips, the soft waves of each other's hair. They could get used to this…
A throat cleared from behind the couple. Arcee and Optimus broke away and turned around to face Bulkhead and Bumblebee. A very different Bulkhead and Bumblebee…
Bulkhead was a bigger man, in a muscular sense, maybe in his late 20's early 30's. His arms looked like they could take on an alligator and a python at the same time, same with his legs. His face was round but long, bearing a small resemblance to Agent Fowler's face. He had short black spiky hair that perfectly complimented his smooth dark skin. Bulkhead had a military camo muscle shirt that got tucked into dark olive pants with a chunky military grade belt. He wore a set of dog tags, further accentuating his military vibe. On his feet were some big black army boots.
Bumblebee was very young, about 20. He had slightly shaggy blonde hair that fell in front of his left eye. His hair also bore some black highlights/lowlights, some at the roots and some in the lock on his eye. His muscular physique was impressive for someone so young, and it was visible through his tight charlie-brown type t-shirt. Bumblebee wore simple black pants with lots of pockets and army boots much like Bulk's.
Arcee ran forwards.
"Wow guys. You look great!"
"Well so do you 'Cee. You too boss, very nice," Bulkhead complimented.
"Yeah," a voice said, "Very different. It suits both of you." Everyone whipped around to face Bee. "What did you just say?"
"I said...wait a nano-cycle...I can TALK! DIS IS DA BEST DAY OF MA LIIIIIFE! There's so much I wanna say! Can we spell creativity anyway we want? Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny? Can we go see Inside Out? Is Disney World a people trap operated by a mouse? Why did Yankee Doodle name the feather in his hat macaroni? Was that his favourite food or something? What-"
"Enough, Bumblebee. All your questions will be answered in due time," Optimus interrupted, "But in the mean time, our human friends would like to go camping." Optimus glanced at the humans that had assembled, "Right?"
"Well, DUH! LET'S BOUNCE!" Miko shrieked.
XXX
"Oh my god Miko! These are the best! Pass me another!"
After an deeper explanation of how the bodies work, how to eat, go to the bathroom, how to sleep and a quick shopping trip, the Autobots, minus Ratchet, and the kids groundbridged to a campground near a lake in Oregon. June and Agent Fowler had also bridged over wearing their bathing suits. They were only going to stay for the day, convinced by the fact that there were 4 adults watching over them that they would be fine. Not to mention the fact that said adults swore to protect the kids the day that they met them.
Now, the team had pitched in and put up 3 tents. One for Optimus and Arcee, one for Jack, Miko and Raf, and one for Bulkhead and Bumblebee. They went swimming in the lake, much to the pleasure of everyone. June and Fowler left after that. No longer having the "nannies" looking out for them, they could do whatever they wanted. That didn't last long. It started with capture the flag in the forest…
Flashback
"We'll split up into two teams. I want Bulkhead, Jack and Arcee." Miko declared. Optimus stepped in pretty fast. "Whoa Miko. I would like Arcee on my team, please." That pissed Arcee off.
"So what, you think that I'm just an asset? Is that it? I expect more from you, Optimus. I don't always have to be right next to you. It's not like I'll be hurt in the forest. Clearly you underestimate my abilities."
"N-no. Th-that's not what I-I…"
"Miko, I accept."
"Awesome!"
End Flashback
It all went downhill from there.
The team with Optimus, Bumblebee and Raf hid their flag in a small bog they found deep in the forest. And with bogs come bugs. The Autobots have never experienced the might of bugs, specifically mosquitoes, so when Bulkhead and Miko saw the flag across the murky bog, they had no choice but to go around/through it. That really didn't go well…
Flashback
"There it is!" Miko hollered, "and it's unguarded! What great luck!"
"Yeah, but Miko, look down."
Miko looked down at her feet and saw the murky water of the forest bog. The water had been disturbed, most likely the other team putting the flag where it was. But Miko had an incredible competitive drive, one that drove her to trudge through the water towards the other side. Bulkhead followed, unaware of the swarm of bugs following them. Miko finally reached the other side and snatched the flag off of the tree where in hung. She turned to Bulkhead and screamed.
He had at least 10 mosquitos on his arms and legs, having rolled up his pants. The swarm was also quickly growing.
"Bulkhead! Swat the bugs! Now!" Bulkhead ignored her and sighed.
"Aw! But Miko, look how cute they are. They like me! Oh! They're kissing me...their kisses kinda sting though…ouch! Heh heh! So cute!"
"Bulkhead, follow me. I-I think I hear Bumblebee...let's go!"
"Oh, ok. Come on little bugs."
End Flashback
Miko and Bulkhead had made it out of the bog, but they were now covered in bites ranging from the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil, to the swollen size of a doorknob. When they got back to their base, Optimus and Jack were standing there, awestruck. Miko scratched at a bite saying that they'd got the flag. They had won the prize of first dibs on s'mores and lots of ointment that Ratchet had supplied.
XXX
A fire roared in a small pit in the middle of a clearing in the forest. 7 figures sat on logs and rocks surrounding the blaze, enjoying the heat in gave off on the chilly summer night. Some had thin strands of white goo hanging from their mouth, others simply held paper plates with remnants of a hot dog forever plastered on the fibers.
The Autobots and human children just finished their meal at a campground in Oregon. Bulkhead, Miko, Optimus and Jack enjoyed their victory with about 5 s'mores each, leaving only 3 marshmellows left for the losing team. Oh well, better enjoy them while you can.
Jack and Raf sat on a large flat rock circling a part of the fire pit. They spoke of times when they went camping with their families and the hilarity that ensued.
Miko, Bulkhead and Bumblebee were seated simply on the forest floor gazing at the stars. Miko shared her limited knowledge of constellations, and by limited, she only knew 2, big dipper and little dipper. The 2 soldiers were interested nonetheless.
That left Optimus and Arcee curled up together on a dry log facing the fire. He leaned up against another tree directly behind the log to support both him and his SIC. Arcee was sitting between his legs with her legs sprawled out on the log. Her head rested on his right collarbone at the neck. Draped across her shoulders was the grey hoodie Optimus wore on the trip. Arcee had gotten quite chilly, so being the gentleman that he is, Optimus asked if she wanted to "cuddle" and have his hoodie. After a few moments she agreed and curled up on his lap seeking warmth. She was currently asleep while Optimus stroked her hair that had been pulled into a side braid courtesy of Miko.
Jack checked his watch and realized how late it was.
"Hey guys," he spoke softly, trying not to disturb the peace, "It's 12:45, I think we should hit the hay. Or at least I will. Goodnight." With that, Jack and Raf got up and disappeared into their tent. Miko stretched and yawned.
"Yeah, me too guys. Night."
The bots were the only ones left. Bulkhead slapped his thighs. "Well, I'm kinda tired."
"Me too," Bee added.
"You wanna go to sleep?"
"Don't I."
"G'night boss bot."
"Goodnight Bulkhead and Bumblebee. As the humans say, sweet dreams."
Bulkhead and Bumblebee also disappeared into their tent. Optimus watched as the light from the lantern flicked off in both tents. He sighed and looked downwards at Arcee. She looked so peaceful and the last thing he wanted to do was wake her. But he was tired himself.
Making up his mind, Optimus stood up carefully, Arcee sliding off of his lap gently and onto the log. She moaned quietly, obviously feeling the slight move in surroundings. Optimus then gently scooped her up in his arms bridal style and carried her back to their tent. He would've expected her to be heavier than she was, but Arcee surprisingly weighed very little. She subconsciously twitched and moved her head to Optimus' chest. He dared not make a sound as he shifted her to one arm and zipped open the tent.
Laying her down on her sleeping bag placed on top of a blow up mattress, Optimus took off his shirt and threw it into the far corner. Lightly, Optimus lifted up his girlfriend and took off her leather jacket, but left the hoodie on. He laid her back down and snuggled into his own bag.
Arcee moved once more and snuggled up to Optimus, her back pressed against his front. Optimus didn't scoot away. Instead, he draped an arm around her waist and spooned her into himself.
Planting a kiss on her temple, Optimus whispered, "Goodnight, my love," and flicked off the lantern, darkness quickly surrounding him. But he needn't have fret, because the light of a future burned bright in it's place.
XXX
Don't worry, this isn't the end. I still have some suggestions that I'd like to follow up on. But did anyone else find that unexpectedly cheesy, surrounding ArceexOptimus and "lovey-dovey?" Ah, no matter, it was cute.
Today's winner is...Esperanza Hyde the Vamp Queen! For her amazing review and being an awesome person in general! Congrats girl!
I have a question for all of you: What would you think if Optimus and Arcee got hitched in this story? I've been thinking about that for a while now and I've reached the point of desperation. Please help me! Give suggestions too, like yes or no. Fun list challenge or not? Does Miko interfere or not? Anything your pretty little minds can come up with, I'd really appreciate that!
And Happy Canada Day!
Energon-flavoured red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing for all, and to all, a good Canada Day! (Or 4th of July/Independence Day in a few days for all Americans! :)
