Back in the underground base, Optimus was snuggling with his mate. He was relieved that their sparklings and younglings were elsewhere, as Optimus just was craving attention – the kind of attention that he was usually too busy to get. Mirage knew just what Optimus needed and was spoiling the Prime. Optimus knew this couldn't happen often, but he enjoyed it when it could happen. And once they were just snuggling, Mirage and Optimus started talking.
"Your mom stopped by before you came home" Mirage informed the Prime.
"Really? What did mom want?" Optimus asked, as it was unusual for Orion to just stop by.
"Well, Orion said that some of the bots working around here have started working on the castle of the Prime, where the Prime is supposed to live" Mirage stated.
"I asked them to save that for last" Optimus stated, not quite as happy about the report as Mirage thought he would be. In fact, to Mirage, Optimus sounded angry, though it really was only disappointment.
Mirage pulled away. "I thought you'd be happy to hear such a report. Now I am glad I told you instead of Orion" Mirage snapped at Optimus, the illusionist's own systems feeling out of whack. Mirage left, knowing that yelling at his sparked mate would do no good.
Back in the berth, Optimus sighed. He was upset at himself. Mirage was trying to bring good news and Optimus had fouled up again and pushed Mirage away. Optimus sighed and tried to get up out of the berth – a task easier said than done. Optimus didn't admit it, but he still marveled at how Mirage could be fully sparked and still get himself into and out of their berth without any assistance most of the time as Optimus didn't seem to have that skill. It took the Prime a bit longer before he was finally out of the bed and not about to land face first on the floor.
Once Optimus got his balance, he went in search of his mate. Mirage didn't seem to be around but Optimus had a feeling that Mirage hadn't left the quarters, he had just disappeared from sight. "Mirage?" Optimus called out softly. Mirage didn't answer, but a shaky energy form seemed to catch Optimus' attention. "Mirage, I am sorry. I am not mad, I just didn't wish that they put me first in the construction. I want them to have homes before they replace the old castle with anything new" Optimus explained, as to Optimus the place of the Prime was the least important place to rebuild.
Mirage appeared, close to where Optimus had found the energy form. His systems were in need, but he had ignored their needs to put everyone else's needs first. Mirage looked tired and worn out even though he was fairly young. The sparklings, the younglings, Optimus and other bots seemed to be higher on Mirage's priority list than his own needs. Optimus realized now what was going on. Without saying a word, Optimus carefully scooped Mirage up and took him to the refresher room, where Optimus could help scrub off Mirage's dirty exterior.
Mirage just let himself be taken care of, as he really didn't have a lot of strength to fight it, not that he really wanted to fight it either. Optimus made sure the cleanser was just warm enough to Mirage and then began scrubbing the bot off, getting rid of dirt in areas that Mirage had been unable to reach and clean. Mirage was starting to feel better, but still felt low. Optimus was careful as he cleaned his mate off. And then, once cleansed and dried, Optimus fed Mirage in the berth. Mirage was stunned but wasn't going to refuse to drink the energon, as Mirage felt low.
Optimus tried not to show it, but he felt bad about all of this. He felt bad that Mirage felt such an obligation to others that Mirage failed to take time for himself. Optimus wasn't sure what to do about that, but for now, Optimus gently spoiled his mate, in ways Mirage didn't realize could feel like being spoiled.
"I'm sorry" Mirage muttered after having been cleaned and felt his energon tanks fill back up.
"For what, my love?" Optimus asked, holding mirage close.
"For being an aft to you" Mirage stated.
"Love, no bot is perfect" Optimus replied, reminding Mirage that Optimus loved Mirage for who Mirage was.
"But still…" Mirage started to say before he was interrupted with a kiss from Optimus. Mirage held onto the kiss for as long as Optimus allowed and was sad when Optimus pulled away.
"Love, we all make mistakes. I have made more than my fair share. You give and give and so rarely take time for you" Optimus explained as he gently gave Mirage a massage. Mirage just purred as kinks were ironed out in his frame thanks to the massage. Optimus just smiled, having learned that he could give just as well as he got from his mate.
Meanwhile, Armor's group were studying the citadel that they had found. Something about it bothered the group of bots who were exploring it.
"this feels so exposed" Sheetrock stated.
"Well, we don't have to worry about Cons anymore" Crash said.
"I still think they are some on the loose" Armor stated.
"I'd protect you, Armor" Crash eagerly answered.
"I hear Starscream is still alive" Sheetrock stated.
"You mean that foul mouthed double-crossing seeker might still be alive?" Burst asked.
"It is highly possible. NO one has found his remains and none of our brigs hold him. If he is alive and on the loose, he could be a dangerous threat" Sheetrock stated.
"I ain't afraid of no stupid seeker" Crash stated emphatically.
"I'd love to see you tell that to his face" Armor retorted jokingly.
"Well he isn't here or I would" Crash stated. IT wasn't the answer Armor was hoping for.
"Let's get back to work" Burst stated, not liking this citadel any more than the rest of the group. They didn't realize that they had stumbled upon the ancient home of the seekers -the Citadel of Vos, but something felt very, very off.