Male Is As Male Does
Authors Note: I thought it was about time we looked at this whole thing (Prime's duties) from Optimus Prime's perspective. The humans have been ducking and weaving around the big guy, sorting out their own feelings, but what does Optimus think of things? Of Arcee? Of his duty to his species and his Autobots? Read on... Oh, and, this chapter is a two-parter, it is a set-up for the next chapter, that's why it is a little short.
Chapter 9
NEST base, early morning, before sunrise...
It wasn't hard to think the day ahead was going to be good when a mech had three very attractive femmes draped over his body like overly supple metallic felines.
Optimus Prime grunted softly. His left leg twitched where Arcee's purple form had entwined her arms around his upper thigh and was recharging comfortably with her face lovingly turned into his metal. The red Arcee bot was curled up against his chest, fitting herself in nicely to the curve of his imposing armored body. She liked it there. It was close to his spark, and the red femme was more needy that way than the others, she liked personal closeness, not just routine interfacing. The last Arcee bot – the blue femme - was resting against his shoulder with one of her hands inserted stealthily under his armor and lying palm down on his protoform. She was the most sensual of the three. Direct. Always with her processor on the 'kinky' side of what to do with mechs. He had the feeling that if he stood up, all three of the femmes would determinedly hang on, trying to stay oblivious to the fact he was no longer horizontal.
His azure optics swept back and forth silently in their casings, studying the female Autobots. Each femme had their favourite way of doing things – 'things' meaning how they conducted themselves around him. Case in point; each femme gravitated each recharge cycle into their favourite position. Lying on or against his chest, legs, or shoulder, and not at all inclined to let go if someone else tried to shove in.
If there was one thing Optimus Prime always insisted upon no matter what accommodations he was currently in, it was having a very large recharge berth to sink down onto at the end of the day. He didn't allow much time to himself. Didn't want worshipping, molly-coddling, rank privileges, or special attention because of his status as Supreme Commander of the Autobot forces. He carried out the duties of his position with strenuous attention to taking care of each and every bot under his command. They came first. His own needs were not so important.
...but woe-betide any supply officer that assigned a recharge berth anything less than bloody enormous to his personal quarters. They'd get a glare they'd never forget.
Prime worked hard. He was regularly pushing his body and spark to the limit, and whatever recharge he could get had to be of good quality; to aid this, his berth was padded and on the far side of huge to allow for the limbs of his massive physique to relax without fear of running out of room. In colder environments his berth was also heated, but here on Earth at the NEST base the climate was comfortably warm enough for that not to be necessary.
Optimus would also never speak of it out loud, but certain bodily positions with femmes on board demanded lots of space to stretch out comfortably.
Looking back down at the femmes, he began to orchestrate a plan of action to get out from under his femme entourage. He needed to be on duty. While murmuring a sincere repetitive quiet rumble of 'excuse me', 'my apologies' and 'my bad', he managed to get upright without resorting to offensive tactics. Once standing, he looked at the femmes over his shoulder. Only the purple one gave him a disgruntled look, sending a quick disgruntled pouty expression his way before she sank back into recharge.
He smiled at her and left his quarters with rhythmic strides. He was always up early. Obviously not everyone in his army appreciated that fact. Someone human was also up early this morning.
"Morning, big guy."
"Good morning, Major," Optimus responded politely, dipping his head and watching Major Will Lennox jog past the Autobot hangar. On reflex, Optimus checked behind the man to see if he was being chased by Ratchet. Nope. No obnoxious Hummer carrying a huge bucket of water and venting lurid curses was threatening the early morning peace.
Prime turned from watching the Major and continued walking towards the main communications hangar. It was close to the human celebrations of Christmas time, and while many soldiers on base had taken a few days leave to be with their families (with their communications links switched on and always ready to return to base and jump into action at any report of Decepticon activity – Megatron wouldn't care one iota about time off for human religious holidays, in fact, the Decepticon tyrant would cackle manically with eagerness to squish humans on their time off) Optimus and the other Autobots still carried on with their regular duties, aided by the skeletal staff still manning the base.
"Optimus?"
The Autobot Commander halted and turned back to face the human man. "Yes Major?"
Uncharacteristically, Lennox kept his head back down for a moment, obviously carefully considering his next words while the giant alien next to him waited patiently. He then looked back up at his friend and fellow soldier, squinting in the dawn light.
"Would you care for a swim this morning? Before you go on duty? I know you guys do swim, I haven't seen you do it, but..." Lennox shrugged, "I was thinking of heading down to the beach for a quick dip. Would you like to come?" He wasn't sure if he was crossing an invisible line with this or not. Would Optimus reject him or agree with his proposal?
Optimus Prime himself was not disturbed or shocked by the question. He was honored that the man would ask. "I do believe that Sargent Epps reported seeing sharks last week – is this the reason for your request?" he asked with a smile, allowing the handle of the intimidating rifle on his back to peek out from his shoulder strut while he crossed his arms over his chest to appear menacing.
Will snorted a laugh, "Oh come on, you think I can't take care of some disgruntled marine life by myself? I can shoot, you know. No, no, I just thought that a morning swim can be a good way to begin the day. Besides, if I wanted protection I'd go and get Ironhide's aft out of recharge, but honestly, I think watching a Great White shark flying through the air as fish and chips would not be so amusing. Sharks have the right to live their lives too."
It took Optimus a moment to reference what on Cybertron the man was talking about, but he understood. "I would need to have a serious conversation with Ironhide if he turned any sentient life form into 'fish and chips', Major. And my answer is yes, a swim does sound enticing, and I would like to join you," he glanced up at the sun beginning to peek over the horizon, "especially since it looks like we will be enduring another day of extreme temperatures."
"Excellent!" Will slapped his hands together. "Let me just go and fetch my stuff."
It didn't take more than a few minutes for the strange pair to reach their destination after Will had changed into a pair of swimming shorts, even quicker when Prime had insisted on scooping up the man and carrying him with long fast strides to the coastline and the small secluded beach not far from the base.
The Autobot Leader stood on the beach with his hands on his hips and did a quick scan of the water for sharks and other life forms. Pleased to find the absence of anything other than a few harmless teeny fish in the shallows, he nodded at Will. "All clear, Major."
With a boyish grin, Lennox jogged down the beach and waded/leapt through the knee deep water until a wave broke and he dived underneath it, popping up on the other side and beginning to swim strenuously. Cautious of the man's safety, Optimus chose to follow him, walking in without fear, the liquid parting easily for his immensely strong thighs. The water was crystal clear and soothing on his metallic skin. He kept moving in until it came up to just below his chest, then stood still with his optics tracking the progress of Will as he made haphazard laps up and down the waves. Lifting one hand and cupping some of the water, he allowed it to slowly trickle through his fingers, thinking. This substance was what had once entombed his brother; Megatron; in the deepest depths of the ocean. Dark. Alien. A lonely and depressing place. His optics darkened. It had been the best place for containment and concealment of his brother's dead shell the humans could provide, but even so, he had risen from his tomb, and was once more a deadly threat. Would his menace never cease?
"Optimus!"
Prime lifted his head from contemplation to stare down at Will who was floating next to him and hanging onto his hip armor.
Will's wet brow furrowed, "Are you okay?"
"Of course, I was merely processing some stray thoughts, something I do too much of, Ratchet has informed me. Here," with gentle fingers Optimus lifted Will up to his shoulder and set him carefully upon it. "Do you know how to dive?"
Lennox smiled in response, getting to his feet on the flat parts of Prime's armor and dripping water down his body. "Do I ever..."
Optimus laughed as the man flipped himself off his shoulder in a graceful tumbling dive. Will took advantage of Prime's height and assistance, making many more dives and bombs. When Lennox had tired of the game, Optimus waded back into the shallows, and lay down on his back, propped up on his elbows, relaxing with the water just barely covering his lengthy body. Will dog-paddled in circles around him for a while, enjoying himself. To see someone as deadly and awesome as Optimus Prime laid out on the beach without a care in the world, with water lapping at his metallic armor as it sparkled in the sun, was quite a sight. Knowing - and having seen - that the Autobot could go from relaxed to seriously dangerous and bristling with firepower in the blink of an eye made Will shudder.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
Prime cocked his head to make optic contact with Lennox. "That depends on what it is you wish to ask."
Will put on his best innocent expression, "About Arcee. And you."
"Ah." Prime looked out to sea. "I was wondering when this would come up."
Will waded over to the Autobot and leaned on his lower leg. "I don't want to ask anything too rude, and I'm not sure what is considered rude in your culture so please stop me if I offend you."
Prime's optics swivelled back to Lennox, "I am not easily offended, Major. Please ask what ever it is that is bothering you."
Will sucked in a deep breath and smiled. Finally! He was going to get some answers from the man – MECH! - himself! Will, my man, don't stuff this up, you just got an early Christmas present!
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT CHAPTER... :-)
