A/N
Just a quick little chapter.
Chapter 20
Elita kept glancing at the bench. She couldn't help it. Why would they keep Optimus and Sentinel on the bench? Why not just split them up? They sat back to back, arms crossed and optics narrow. Sentinel had oil stains on him from the morning of work he'd experienced. Optimus still had his chest plate wrapped up. If one entered the space around them, one would feel the tension and practically die of it. That would explain why Warpath is keeping his distance from them while still watching them.
"Elita, pay attention!" called Jazz.
Jazz shoved her down, just in time to miss the drone's attack. The two sighed. The simulation was a troubling one. A few teams of two or three were to survive against the drones. If you were shot by a drone, you'd be paralyzed for the remainder of the game. Jazz and Elita were among the last of the surviving teams, though Jazz had been doing most of the work. He didn't seem to mind.
"Sorry, Jazz," sighed Elita. "Been distracted."
"I understand. It's hard not to want to see if those two will finally crack," smiled Jazz, looking around. "Only us and Rod left."
"Well, let's show him whose boss, huh?" nodded Elita.
"Right."
Optimus sighed, glancing at Sentinel sitting beside him. He didn't like the silence, mostly because he was worried of Sentinel killing him in his sleep. He caught Elita's glances a few times. She was worried more than he was. Sentinel had shut up and refused to talk to anyone, even Elita. Optimus had heard them talking before the simulation. A mild argument. Elita won.
"Sentinel…" Optimus whispered. "We should talk."
"Nothing to talk about," answered Sentinel.
"There is always something to talk about. What happened last night?" Optimus sighed.
"Nothing."
"No. Something happened. We fought…not our usual fighting. A real, near to the death, fight," argued Optimus.
"Your point?"
"Why?"
Sentinel spun around to face Optimus. His optics were narrowed but eventually he sighed, leaning back. He put his hands behind his head, looking out at the battle simulation before them. Optimus glanced out, watching Jazz and Elita dodge and battle their way to victory. He smiled, watching as the two cheered and celebrated their victory. Sentinel smiled too.
"I'm sorry, Optimus."
Optimus perked, looking to Sentinel with wide optics. Sentinel rested his head on one hand, still looking out at the few bots celebrating victory. He sighed, standing up.
"Did you just say…?" whispered Optimus.
"Keep that between you and me, 'kay, buddy?" nodded Sentinel.
"What changed your mind about this?"
"Sentinel! Optimus! Did you see!"
Optimus watched Elita race toward them, smile wide. She embraced Sentinel, spinning him around. He offered a weary smile, whispering congratulations. Optimus smiled. The two hugged for a while. Optimus glanced out at the others in the arena. Jazz had taken a seat, humming to himself. Rodimus was grumbling about losing. The others were discussing the future challenges.
"Get over here, you!" cried Elita, pulling Optimus into the hug. Sentinel and Optimus exchanged awkward glances. Eventually the two did smile. Elita was happy, and that's all that mattered at the moment.
"We should work at the next simulation," offered Sentinel.
"Great!" cheered Elita, exiting the hug.
"Too bad!" snapped Warpath, coming up behind them. "We're learning basic procedure now. Get a move on!"
"Procedure?" whispered Sentinel. "Like physical stuff?"
"Hardly. Not all Elite Guard training is the arena, kid. To the classrooms, punk!" ordered Warpath, pointing out the door.
"Now this is my kind of lessons," smirked Optimus, patting Sentinel on the back.
"You can kick my butt at this any day," shrugged Sentinel, heading for the door.
"Did you two make up?" gasped Elita, grabbing onto Optimus's arm.
"I think so," nodded Optimus.
"You didn't…you know, comply with his demands, did you?" whispered Elita.
"Hardly," he waved off.
"That's great," Elita purred, kissing Optimus on the check. "Sentinel's lucky to have a friend like you."
She put her arm around his, leading Optimus out the door.