(Please see all previous disclaimers)
After several intense hours, Lance now felt like he had mastered his Yamato sword. He could summon it, cause it to replicate, create portals, and use it for defense. Lancex was pleased with his efforts, but he was also super tired. After putting the sword away, Lancex profusely thanked Ironhide, Jazz, and Prowl for their assistance and training. The trio smiled, happy to have helped, but they also noticed just how exhausted Lancex seemed. And it was proven true as Lancex passed out right in front of them. Hide carefully took the sword and went to clean it while Jazz and Prowl worked together to get Lancex to a nearby berth where the bot could rest.
Ironhide finished cleaning the sword and was heading back to where Lancex had been placed when he was spotted by Grimlock and Optimus, both of whom recognized the sword instantly and didn't seem pleased that Ironhide had it. "Prime, Lancex was resting. He asked me to clean it and inspect it. I was just on my way to returning it" Ironhide explained, not quite the full truth but not a full on lie either. Grimlock and Optimus nodded, though Optimus was much more suspicious about all of this than Grimlock was.
Soon enough, Ironhide led Optimus and Grimlock to the place where Lancex was resting after working his systems so hard. Thankfully for Ironhide, Optimus and Grimlock were so focused on the sleeping Lancex that Ironhide slipped off, with Lancex's sword still in hand. Ironhide silently swore as that was a close one.
Meanwhile, distract by just how hot yet innocent Lancex looked while sleeping, Optimus and Grimlock focused on the bot, all else seemingly forgotten. Grimlock, unable to hold back any longer, planted a hot kiss on the lips of the sleeping bot. Even asleep, Lancex moaned at the kiss. Grimlock smiled, pleased with himself. Not to be outdone, Optimus leaned down and kissed Lancex on the lips, the feeling strange as Optimus felt it through his battle mask. Optimus planted a searing hot kiss, though he was not sure why he did it the way he did – just that he felt compelled to do so.
Meanwhile, in the special quarters, preparations were almost complete. Skyfire and Ratchet made a few more adjustments to things while Jack just watched. He had been relegated to watching after he nearly blew up the special berth. After a few more minutes, the room was ready. Now it was time to lure the trio here. The question still remained if Optimus would fall for it. He might not, but they hoped the effort would not be all for naught. Everything seemed to ride on this.
