Pairing: TFP Dreadwing/Optimus Prime

Rating: General

Details/Themes: Comfort, mentions character death, developing relationship

A set of coordinates for rural China was all Optimus was given in a coded message. It was unlike Megatron to do such a thing so it was less likely a trap by a Decepticon but the encryption code did match an older Decepticon format, one that was originally used by Seekers at the beginning of the war.

Silently, the Prime walked through the ground bridge onto an elevated field with a few Pistache and Empress trees lying about. Their contrasting colors were beautiful currently. Standing beside one of them to Optimus' surprise was Dreadwing who was peering solemnly at the sky above.

He suddenly spoke as Optimus approached him, "Keeping myself preoccupied, keeping myself full of hope…is often daunting without my brother. He was fearless, ruthless even while I was careful, the more dexterous of our team."

"I understand what you mean and I too have suffered great loss with very unyielding results," the Autobot Leader said.

Dreadwing turned to him sorrowfully, "But you carry through it so easily. You continue to function as if the weight of what was lost never even dragged you down. I know that unlike Megatron, you care about everyone but how do you do it? I've lost my way to cope."

"I cannot teach you how to face what ails you but I can say that it is possible to turn your torment into strength. I do not forget what I have done or whom I have lost, but I use their memories to lead my actions towards a purpose. I cannot lie and say they have not made me feel any emotion every time I think of them, I just allow myself to mourn them behind the battlefield so I do not show any leverage for someone to use against me," Optimus replied.

A simple nod came from the Seeker before he huffed, "We should have stayed neutral but my brother loved what the Decepticon cause stood for so much that I just followed through with it, not even realizing the consequences."

Both of them then stood in silence. The Prime knew there was something about Dreadwing that didn't make him like the other Cons. He was no follower, only a survivor. Had Skyquake chose to at least become neutral or join the Autobots, Dreadwing could have been spared his grief but life had a way of making everything difficult. Optimus admitted that he did feel responsible for the Seeker's death and his brother's state of mind. When he lost Megatron to the twisted delusions of power, a part of him shattered and remained broken to this day.

Hesitantly, Optimus placed servo on the mech's shoulder for comfort. "Dreadwing, I am sorry for what we had to do to that day but if I could, I would take it back."

"Prime…" Dreadwing began, "there are many things I want to take back but setting them right only often darkens those my actions have damaged. And you are bold enough to claim otherwise, so I've heard. I don't want your pity by the way…"

The Autobot frowned slightly, "Then why did you-?"

"…I need it."

The winged mech placed a servo over Optimus' before the latter could remove it. He turned his helm towards to meet the other's gaze, "I don't want your pity but I find it reassuring so I see that I need it. Coming from you, it's calming. That's why I called you here. Can you please just stay with me for a while if it's not a bother?"

Admittedly, he wasn't sure if he should abide by the Decepticon's request but a large part of him didn't like to see someone in emotional distress and him not doing anything about it. His job was to serve others and as a Prime, his duty was to all Cybertronians not just Autobots. Giving a heartening smile, Optimus sat with Dreadwing upon the field but he didn't expect the Con to lean against his shoulder all of a sudden.

Dreadwing's servo slipped into his and he didn't deny its comfort. For a few hours, they both stayed like that.

AN: Out of all the characters in Prime, the most relatable to Dreadwing may be Optimus and I know Megatron's not the comforting type so he's out.