"What?! The Allspark is gone?!" Elita had exclaimed, accidentally reverting back to Cybertronian. And as the news came to her slowly, with most of the Autobots giving their side of the stories, unfortunately it had brought her audio as high as her surprise, the rest wincing at the loudness.

Crammed into a room made large enough for the Autobots to fit, it was a surprise that they could. The eight older-bots that were already on Earth included with the four femmes that had just arrived made it pretty clear that there was little space. Almost each had a wall to their back except for two or three who chose a few cargo storages to sit on. In the centre was Optimus Prime and Elita-1, standing as they conversed what had happened in the last millennia.

Optimus was the first to recover. "Unfortunately, yes." He stated.

"How are we supposed to rebuild Cybertron without the very key to do so?!"

For once, Optimus didn't have an answer. So he spoke the next best thing. "… That's what we've been trying to figure out during the past 5 solar cycles (years)."

"And? What of the Decepticons?"

"Their main commanders have offlined. Megatron and Starscream included. But the rest are currently in hiding. Hopefully for a while at best." The black mech had chosen to cut in as he polished the cannon in his arm. The femme leader had used a moment to control her stress, looking back to her sparkmate the next.

"And you?" Her eyes had gone dimmer. "You said you had offlined once. If so, how are you still here?" The Prime winced at the memory, picturing the last person he seen before he himself had died and the first person he saw when pulled back from the Well of All Sparks. Thinking showing would be more ideal than speaking, he reached a hand to his chest plate as it had released itself open. A flying object floated out of the chassis, casting a soft blue light over his servos.

"Because of this, and because of him. This here is the Matrix of Leadership, a key for the ancient Primes' to activate their star-harvester. From what I've been told, it had been used by a certain someone to revive me. And right now, it can only be held by two people. One being me, the other not of Cybertronian." He had finished, carefully slotting the delicate object back into place.

"What about you? You've yet to recount what had… disconnected us." Optimus asked.

Another flash of pain over Elita's face before she spoke. "… When we arrived at the retrieval point, we were ambushed. The ones who we were supposed to rescue had attacked us under orders of Megatron. I believe that he thought if he'd kill me, he'd cause pain to you."

"…"

"Luckily," she continued "we had barely managed to escape. But during the fighting, we had lost our medic with our communication systems rendered useless and our ship barely functioning. Best we could do was send a distress signal while we floated among space, conserving the energy we had and stopping wherever we had found an energon source. Even then, those sources were small." She summarised, the recount adding to the Prime's regret and guilt.

Silence filled the room for a second, each mech and femme feeling pity for both leaders. Elita noticed the looks the bots had given her, deciding it was best to change the subject. "… So, who is this other person that had saved you?"

The leader understood what the femme had done and merely lifted his head. Looking to the large door they had used to enter, which was custom made for situations like these where information could only be shared between other Cybertronians. Convenient when only a few high-ranking soldiers are allowed through, that and one other person which they all know and. Optimus continued to stare at the corner of the entrance, as the room went silent with confused looks.

"Sam." Optimus called, making the young adult jump on his spot behind the doorway. To his side, the scout had urged him out of the shadow and into the entrance.

And now Samuel was just standing in front of a room full of large robots, all staring him down with confusion. With another push from behind by Bee, he started walking towards the centre, the yellow Camaro following closely behind him. "How'd you know we were there?" He asked Optimus, entirely confused on how the Autobot leader could've heard him.

Optimus looked generally lost for a moment before answering. "I didn't. I just had a feeling that you were standing behind the doorway."

"Should I be worried that you get 'feelings' about me?" The human joked, blushing madly at how that turned out while a few of the Autobots chuckled. The others hadn't known they had forgiven each other yet, but this sign was not so hard to miss that something must've happened. Honestly, this brightened their atmosphere.

Optimus only smiled while Elita noticed this and sharpened her gaze. Pushing the embarrassment aside he now turned to the femme leader and gave a small wave. "Nice to meet you."

Elita leant down before looking back to Optimus. He gave a nod of approval, understanding what the femme had wanted. As she lowered a servo onto the ground, an order left her audio box. "Step on, human." Sam was a little peeved at the tone she was using, but stepped on as the ground slowly pulled away from him and he was once again staring at blue optics. Eerily, a sense of déjà vu washed over him.

As a metallic finger came up from one side, poking the small lifeform who was nudged slightly from different sides, taking drunk steps towards the direction finger had pushed. Shortly after, a blue light enveloped him which sent another shiver down his spine. "And you're sure this it?" Elita asked, wondering how something so small, so fragile and so defenceless could have been chosen by the Primes to wield a sacred artefact.

"Him. And yes, Samuel is the strongest soul out of all of us. To still aid us when it is no longer his fight."

"I think you're stretching it there, big guy." Sam said as he ruffled his hair. Elita once again noticed the look the two gave each other before cutting in like a knife to butter.

"Is this true, human?"

"Sam." He corrected. "And yeah, more or less had a few too many meetings with Decepticons." Sam replied. Then before he knew it, his feet had begun sliding off the servo. It wouldn't have mattered how far he fell… unless he was falling from Cybertronian height. Though he may live to tell the tale, his legs were certainly not going to survive the impact. And now he was falling, watching as the optics of the Autobots widened and a few had moved in their spots.

Flawless as ever, the Prime jumped into action as his servo came below the fall and caught the young Witwicky with care. With the same amount of care, he pulled the human in before kneeling and placing him lightly on the ground. "Elita, be careful how you treat humans. Yes, they are small and fragile, but they hold an even greater amount of emotion within them."

It was a lucky thing the Prime had been standing in the room. Otherwise, the Autobots who knew Sam and had treated the boy as if family would've been giving an audio-full to the femme. Because at this point, Sam really was their family as much as it was vice versa. Elita looked hurt how her bonded was speaking against her. Sam steadied himself on ground before wiping away a sweat rolling down. 'Sudden death drop must've kicked in the adrenaline.' He thought.

Looking up to Optimus, Sam spoke. "It's alright, Optimus. She didn't know."

The leader turned down with a solemn face. "Forgive her, Samuel."


The next day…

The base was quiet today. More quiet than usual at least. And this time, it wasn't because there was any tension going on between the group. Okay, not entirely true. There is some awkward tension, but none involving the youngest human on base, Samuel Witwicky… Not true either. Partially, he was involved. The Autobots still didn't forget how careless the Prime's sparkmate had dropped the young adult, and were persistent in choosing not to talk to her.

Whatever it was, Optimus was the only one oblivious to it. And as he entered Ratchet's workplace, the only thing he noticed was that it was quiet. Usually, he'd find the medic tinkering away on another one of his findings on Earth, along with… Wheeljack… There was a small memorial for the Autobot after the fighting. But he guessed that Ratchet wouldn't find anything useful without his comrade. At any rate, Ratchet wasn't in a rush. Not with the time they have on Earth at least.

Strolling up into the room in his tall glory, it wasn't hard for the medic to pull his head away from the bed he was fixing for only a brief moment. Recognising who it was, he resumed his work while the Prime approached the other side of the bed. "Ratchet, may we talk?"

"Where are the others?"

"By others, I suppose you mean the Lumos Aria?"

"Good guess." He said sarcastically, finally pulling away.

"… They're settling into their holoforms." Is he angry with me? The Prime questioned in his processor. "That's beside the point. I think I'm ill." Optimus believed, prompting the medic to raise a brow in his mech form.

"How so?" The green mech questioned.

"Ever since Elita-1 had returned to me, I haven't felt a pulse from her. I talked with her, and she had said the exact thing." The leader stated. Judging from the bewildered look, Optimus made the correct guess that he was about to begin questioning.

"Are you sure? Could you have possibly missed it?"

"I'm sure."

"Maybe it is because you've been separated for too long."

"But you know it yourself that can't be right either. No matter the time gap between bonded, a pulse should always be felt whenever sparkmates meet."

"… What I'd suggest is to give it time. Since you've been offlined before, I can give you two possible verdicts, but not the only ones. Just the most plausible ones." Ratchet said.

"Which are?"

"One, your bond was lost when you offlined and will take time to return. Or two, when you offlined, you prevented yourself the ability to bond, or be bonded, any longer in this world." The medic concluded, folding his arms over each other.

"Is that even possible?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But since you have the rare case of reviving, all concepts are out the window. So when you'd say a bond lasts for a lifetime, remember that you have been to and back from the other side, past your lifetime if not for Samuel." Ratchet explained, looking to the bed.

"… I see… Thank you, Ratchet." The Prime turned away as he walked away from the beds. When his name was called, he stopped and turned back.

"Optimus, one other thing. If my first theory proves to be true, and it does take time to rebuild a bond, can I ask if you truly want it? I mean, look at Sam…"

Now it was the tall mech's turn to be confused. "Samuel? What does he have to do with this? And what do you mean by your first question?" He inquired, a little shocked by the question.

"… Never mind. It's nothing…"


Meanwhile…

"Hey, Sam?"

"Yes, Bee?"

"Are you mad at something?" The holoform asked, taking long strides.

"No. Why?"

"Cause' you're kinda' walking faster than usual." The blonde pointed out.

He rolled his eyes as he began flicking back at the notes he and Lennox had made the other day.

Though only a day had gone by, it was surprising how much Sam had finished things on the agenda. Sure, they weren't entirely finished. But being 'blessed' by the shard of the Allspark did give its uses during times when he had to rush. Especially during his time with the finals. Six full hours of reading over 20,000 words and remembering them did help, but caused quite a stir when someone saw him flicking through the pieces of literature like a picture book.

So, he'd say he got a lot done in only a day, but there were still a few complications with the party planning. A few which could be solved just by talking to a certain Prime on base, which he really wasn't looking forward to on two accounts. One being that Optimus would want to continue where they had left off the last time, having Sam spill the beans. And two, he'd be found with Elita… again… He didn't know why, but every time the two had begun to talk, Elita would magically appear beside the Prime and suddenly, Sam would be labelled as the third-wheel. So yeah, leave it for last.

"I just have… stuff to do." He stated, not bothering to turn back and face the scout. Though if the holoform did look, he'd find that his friend's face was contorted with pain.

"… Which is why we're now running?" Bee questioned, forcing the young adult to stop abruptly. Looking around, he noticed he was both out of breath and in the middle of nowhere once more.

Reviewing back in his mind, he was in the exact same place Optimus had found him weeks ago. And like last time, the corridor was completely empty, save for the two friends. A sigh left the human's mouth before he moved to the side and had slumped down onto a wall, dropping the clipboard by his side and closing his eyes. He'd hope he was just imagining it at first, but there was an actual headache pounding away at him. Now intensifying when he thought of it.

Bee stooped down with a worried look. "Is something wrong, Sam?"

"No, no. It's just…" Sam didn't want to finish the sentence, still focusing on the minor migraine.

"Are you hurt?" The young adult shook his head.

"Ill?" He shook again.

"Tired?" He thought for a moment, before nodding softly. When Bee expected an explanation and had received nothing, he flattened his look to his charge.

"… Should I call Ratchet?" The blonde asked, quickly gaining the attention of the human. The moment he blinked his eyes open, Sam might as well have been throwing swords at the Autobot with the way he was glaring.

"You do it; I'll lock Skids and Mudflap in your room and hangar if you did." He threatened, earning a nervous chuckle from the holoform.

"Alright, alright. But please tell me, what's wrong?" He inquired, sitting down beside the human, crossing his legs as he did. Another breath of air pushed out of Sam's lungs before he responded.

"… Ever have that feeling when you see someone you like with someone else?"

"… I'm assuming you're talking about Optimus?" From the small prediction, Bumblebee had the amusement of watching the Witwicky turn 50 shades of red, his eyes growing wide whilst he stumbled on his next few words.

"W-What?! N-N-No! What m-makes y-ya' sa-"

"Sam. I know."

Sam stared into the holoform's blue eyes, trying to uncover if the blonde was just toying with him or not. What he saw were eyes of the wise and of a trustworthy friend. Turning his head away, he placed his palms in his hands. He wished he could deny it himself. That his heart didn't belong to the Prime. He knew that it could never work out between the two, or if the Cybertronain would even respond to such feelings, so he dismissed it as a foolish thought. Too many reasons why. He was human. The Prime was Cybertronian. He's 21. Optimus is at least over a 1000 years old. And the fact that they're both males as well. At least as close to a male in Cybertronian terms.

The reasons aren't the entire problem though. The problem is that he'd been having such feelings far too long for anybody. For the longest time, he thought the Prime as a father-figure. But ever since Egypt, he saw the leader in a way he'd never thought was possible. Sam began to notice the little details of the Autobot. The roughness of his voice. The blue of his eyes. Even the small gestures he'd done for anyone. The feeling soon became an attraction. Affection. And he could only contain it for a while; trying to distract himself with others such as Mikaela and Carly.

But since those two were gone, he's been losing control of himself. His body heating up and his heart rate increasing at the mere sight of Optimus. It effectively enhanced his emotions as well. Putting it all together, he then had to ask, "Was it that obvious?"

"To answer both questions, yes." Both?... Oh, the previous question...

"And…? How do you deal with it? That awful feeling?"

"Well, I think of them." He earnestly replied. "Which one of us could make the one we like happy? If it turns out to be the other person, then I don't say anything."

"And you're okay with that?" Sam questioned, receiving a short pause.

"… Do you want the truth or what you want to be the truth?"

Thinking for a moment, he wondered which could be easier to hear. But knowing one wasn't going to help with anything. So… "Can I hear what I want to be the truth?"

"I'm okay with anything they choose. If it pains me to see them with another that they love, then I'll take it all. Even if my ties with them are cut, I'll be happy as long as they are."

As much as it had pained him, he asked for the other answer. "… And the truth?"

"… No. As much as I see them have eyes for someone else, I'm not entirely 'okay' with it. I wish I had the courage to tell them, but I know it would only hurt them more if I tried. And I'd rather be the one suffering that fate." Bee responded, his blue eyes moving to the ground. It had stared at the space between them for the longest moment before looking back up, holding its usual bright and happy look. "But you're different, Sam. I believe you still have that small spark of a chance to be with him… Unlike me…"

Sam couldn't stand it as he watched his friend beat himself down. Especially when he's the one who's supposed to be consoled. "But how do you know they would refuse you?"

"Because I know them. And I know that if I do tell them how I feel, I would be pitied. And that's the last thing I want… Besides," The blonde stood up from his position, the human finding himself following, but remained at his spot where as the holoform began walking away. Walking only a few steps, he turned around with his hands in his pockets and gave a sad smile. "I've been talking to with them the past few minutes."

Sam froze stone-still on his spot. The words just said being reviewed over and over again in his head whilst the seeker walked away. He looked long and hard at the back of the walking figure, thinking back to the entire conversation they held. One line from all the polite words exchanged by the Cybertronian stood out. 'As much as I see them have eyes for someone else, I'm not entirely okay with it. I wish I had the courage to tell them, but I know it would only hurt them more if I tried. And I'd rather be the one suffering that fate.' His guilt could only magnify even harder when he remembered the sad smile his closest friend gave before leaving.


After a while, Sam had begun moving again. But that didn't change how slow he walked. And albeit he was standing and walking at a pace, he was not entirely there. His mind still on the last conversation. Truthfully, it made him sick. Not the way one would think though. He was 'sick' how he himself hadn't noticed the Autobot's attraction to him. Looking back, all the times they were together were only shared between 'friends'… right? But could anyone blame him for not noticing? He was frigging alien-robot for god's sakes!

… So why was it so easy for the scout to figure out Sam's feelings for the Prime? He was wrong to blame anyone else for this. It was indeed his fault in this case. And this thought only highlighted the paths he would have to take towards the future. Express his honest feelings for the Prime and risk ruining their relationship; go with Bee who has already accepted him and know that the scout would always feel pitied; or don't choose and let the feelings of jealousy, envy, guilt and regret destroy him from the inside?

He couldn't choose. More like, it wasn't that much of a choice. Optimus had already been reunited with his mate, which everyone should be 'grand' about. In any other case, Bee would've been the perfect option, but when the thought arose, the last thing the Camaro said had struck back. 'I would be pitied. And that's the last thing I want…' So the choices of being with someone was out of the option now. Honestly, it would've been better that way. No way to disappoint anyone or cut his ties with them.

"-at's what Ratchet said?" A voice spoke, barely catching the young adult's ear. Sam had finally returned to his senses and had found himself just before the corridor leading to the Prime's office. It took a moment before his mind kicked in and he had recognised the voice.

"Yes. He says it will take time before we reconnect. I don't want to think about the second possibility." A second voice said. This time, it didn't take even a second for him to recognise the voice. His heart tightening when he realised that those two were together again.

"Orion… You have nothing to fear. Even if we cannot share a bond, I am happy and will always love you as long as you are alive and well." Elita comforted, a few human-sized steps following. 'Orion… Must be Optimus' real name. Of course he'd only share that with someone he loved…' The Witwicky thought.

"… And I the same, dear Ariel."


"… And I the same, dear Ariel." The Prime replied, about to lean in for a small touch of foreheads.

He stopped and turned when hurried steps were heard to the corridor beside them. Taking a moment and stepping away from his love, he peaked his head down the hallway, seeing not a soul in sight. He couldn't admit it entirely, but an underlying chill had run down his spine and had churned his spark. A chill that said he had taken a leap off of a cliff.

"Orion, is something wrong?"

"… No, it's nothing." He said, turning back to the female holoform.


A few days later…

Watching the snow fall outside his window, Sam curled deeper into his blanket and pillow. He wondered when someone was going to come by his room today. It had been a total of five full days since he's trapped himself inside his room while a total of four full days since he's talked with anyone outside. And he hoped it would stay that way a little longer. Especially after hearing that conversation, he didn't want to hear or be a part of it anymore. Not for a while at least.

Twelve. Twelve times had someone come to his door and knocked, asking different questions. A few times, when they did open the door, they only saw the pitch-black room with the young adult under his blankets. One time it was the human captain, stepping inside once to grab the notes discarded on the desk and retreating back out. The rest of the time, they thought better than to wake him up, but unknowing that he was awake each time. The thought of locking the door or even barricading himself with a chair had crossed his mind, but it would only arouse even more suspicion and so decided against it.

Of course he got up to eat and shower, but those were the only reasons for him to step out of his bed. His pillow was damp with how much sweat worked up every night, mixed together with small tear stains when crying himself asleep. Reason for the sweat was because the nightmares had made their comebacks. As predicted, it had soon begun to attack during daily naps, which only wore away his appearance. He didn't even want to try and look in the mirror. Knowing that he'd find something he wouldn't want to. Or rather, finding someone he didn't want to be.

Today, it had been 12 o'clock when he woke up, again jumping awake. Following the process of calming himself down once again, he finally got a grip of reality. His head aching, his throat dry, eyes stinging and skin almost a pale white. Then he noticed the snow outside his window, reminding him that Christmas was coming in two weeks with the party coming in one. Looking back, he tried to remember what was the last thing he needed to do before Will could take over. But when Optimus' face popped in his mind, his eyes grew watery again and his heart constricted harsher. Believing he could sleep the entire experience away, he dropped back into his blanket, ignoring the sweat that made his bed uncomfortably damp.

Heavy footsteps woke him up and pushed him up, staring at the still closed door. There were a few knocks, then silence befell the room. Four, to be precise. His insides twisted itself as the knocks were distinguished immediately. It was him. His breathing grew irregular, ending in huge inhale when four more knocks came. This time, followed by a voice. "Sam? Are you alright in there? No one has spoken to you in days. They've all grown worried. I've grown worried."

'Liar.' He wanted to call out, but bit his tongue and levelled his head back onto the pillow. More knocks came. Drawing the pillow over his ears, he wished for it to end soon with the Prime leaving. And it did end. The knocks stopped and there was serene silence. Optimus spoke again, breaking the peace. "I'm coming in."

Out of reflex, Sam shouted. "Don't."

A centimetre from the handle, Optimus backed off and retracted his hand, now staring firmly at the door. "Sam? Why didn't you say something?"

"Sam, is there something wrong?"

"… No. Just… busy… Tell the others I'm fine." He requested.

Silence. Then a hum abided the instructions before the Prime left without a word, his footsteps growing further and further. Finally, his peace had returned. But because of the leader's sudden action, it had forced him out of the bed and had him up on both legs. A yawn left his mouth before he scratched the back of his head.

Knowing what the leader was like, he'd be back. More than likely entering the room that time around. So he had a while to escape and find himself a place to hide until night time. It would have been the first time he stepped out of his quarters since five days ago, breaking his record. But nothing could be changed about that.

Since he's up and about, he might as well wash up. But when he had reached the bathroom door, he hesitated and remembered. The mirror… He thought for a moment. Thinking he can't avoid it, he walked into the bathroom and stared into the mirror. He wasn't the slightest bit surprised at what he saw. Like he predicted, red eyes, black rings under them and white skin. He was the very definition of 'depressing'. He'd only stared a little longer before reaching for the cupboards inside. Picking out a few clothes, he stripped himself of the ones he'd been wearing and entered the shower. If he was going to finally take a step out of the room, he might as well look like he was 'okay'.


This was more troublesome than he had first thought. After the shower, he thought he'd at least looked better than how he was when just getting up. But his appearance barely even changed. Only difference was that his eyes weren't entirely red and his hair was a little more dignified. And as he thought about it, if anyone he knew had caught sight of him like so, they'd more than likely drag him to Ratchet. It didn't help that he had managed to befriend more than 80% of the people on base, including the Autobots, the remaining 20% having at least met him once before.

Only luck he has that day was that the younger and more recent Autobots to have joined them are outside, witnessing the change in weather. Speaking about Cybertronians, the three faces he wanted to avoid right now were of the following he last saw and heard. Elita. Bumblebee. And Optimus Prime. Definite faces he did not want to meet right now. Which made them priority number one to turn the other way if he so much as catches the sound of their voices. He's had some close calls for the past hour, feeling as if every turn he took, he'd run into either three.

Then he came to a standstill and was caught between a pincer. One end of the corridor had Bee speaking with Jolt, while on the other end was Ironhide walking with Will. They were literally trapping him in a corner as Sam looked to both sides, his hoody now drawn back. When his lower back was nudged by something hard, he turned quickly. What he found was a door, which proved quite useful at the moment. Making quick use of it, he pushed his body in before silently shutting it.

Pressing his ear up against the door, he listened as the weapons specialist argued with the human captain over something. The talking drew louder as he pushed his back on the wall beside the door, ready for the two to enter at any moment. The talking reached its maximum before moving further and further away, dissipating in a few seconds. Not long after, he heard the quick running of Bee and Jolt, followed by the sounds of a chasing Sideswipe before their voices disappeared as well.

Sam hadn't realised he was holding his breath until it was released in a sigh. He counted a full minute of silence, then pulled the door open. Checking both sides, he slipped out when confirming that no one was around. As he pulled his hoody up again, he threw his hands in the pocket of his hoody before making his 'great escape'.

That 'great escape' hadn't been so great when a hand quickly caught his arm the moment he took a step. Spinning around, Sam was met with stern blue eyes. First word that came to mind was the exact word he would've used if he was watching this scene play out from hindsight. Shit.

"Sam."

Turning away, he pulled his body back and stood straight with his head down. "Optimus."

"You've been hiding. Why?"

"… No reason."

"Then why have you been avoiding us?" The Prime questioned.

"I haven't." He lied.

"Sam. I've been following you since you've stepped out of your room. Every time you'd see someone, you'd draw up your hood and walk away. I have a few questions but to start off, why?" Optimus questioned.

"…"

"Are you sick?" A moment later, the Witwicky shook his head. "Injured?" Another shake. "Threatened?" Another shake. "Then please tell me, Samuel." He was in deep shit if the leader was through using his nickname. But still, he chose not to answer.

"…"

"Samuel, if someone has hurt you in any way, we'd do anything to help. Whether you want it or not. But that all depends if you are willing to tell us. Even if it is the littlest thing that upsets you, even if we've managed to somehow rebuild Cybertron, not one of us would second doubt ourselves to race by your side if you called. Again, that is on the matter that you tell what has been troubling you… Please Samuel, we care about you. I care about you."

Once again, the last line made him sick. This time, he was entirely sick of another person rather than himself. Of the lies he's being fed the longer he talked to that certain person. Though he was sick of it, a part of him wanted to laugh at the lie. Another wanted to break down. But he shoved it away as he twisted his arm out of the Prime's grasp. A mutter escaped his mouth which was so quiet that even the Cybertronian couldn't pick it up.

"I'm sorry?" Optimus asked, not sure if even he had heard it right.

"… Save that for Elita…" He repeated. After that, Sam continued his walking. The mech stood there in shock, questioning everything in his processor. Snapping out of the small trance, he sped after his human friend and circled around in front of him, blocking the young adult's path. Though he assured himself that he could control himself, his fists were out on the sides as they trembled at how hard he squeezed.

"Samuel, what did you mean by that?" When Sam refused to give another answer by trying to step to the side, Optimus followed and kept the human at bay. Another step, the leader followed. "Samuel." He called, almost losing his emotions to impatience. Sam was different. He lost himself there.

"It means exactly what it is! You say you 'care', when you know it isn't fucking true!" The Prime was flabbergasted at the language used at him. He's learnt a few of the human curses during the five years, and not even one had been used on him until now.

"Sam, I do ca-"

The teen had quickly cut in, throwing his head up with his hoody flying over and uncovering his face. "Shut up! Don't lie to me! I have had just enough from everyone pitying me! Why does everyone think to smother me with protection?! And now you're here, probably because someone had asked you to! Otherwise, you'd be off with Elita again, finishing whatever you two had missed in the last millennia!"

For the third time, he was shell-shocked by the human's appearance. It had only taken a second to process the words that left his friend's mouth. "She has nothing to do with this, Samuel!"

"When doesn't she?! Who do you think you called the night the three of you found me?!" He questioned, Optimus ready to answer before stopping himself. The realisation now hitting him like the sword that plunged into his chest by Megatron. Only, a thousand times worse. That was what he had missed when apologising to the Witwicky a week ago.

"Why do you think she dropped me six days ago?" Another weight stacked over the leader. But when he was about to answer and defend his lover, Sam had thrown another question that had thrown Optimus into another loop. "Why do you think she shows up whenever we've talked?" He was about return that she didn't, but as the scenes when they've talked since Elita's return had replayed in his head, he couldn't see it as just a coincidence. Especially when he sees Sam as the first one to leave the conversation to the two with a pained smile.

"I…" For once in his life, he was speechless. And being Optimus, that was saying something. No grand speech, no inspirational quotes, no heroic or wise words given. Just… nothing as everything rolled in his head and he was lost within his processor. Then, a final question was asked, returning his mind.

"Now if none of that got through that thick head of yours, let me ask you this. Who would you run to in a life and death situation?" Thrown aback by the sudden spotlight, he only had the shortest time to give an response. Not an answer.

"T-That is unfair question. You two are both dear to me and I could never choose between friends and loved ones."

"Answer it Prime! Who?!" Sam pressed, now on the verge of tears. Optimus didn't want to answer and couldn't. His spark now inflicted with pain, he chose to think on the previous questions as well as the moments he has spent with both individuals. And while he was debating on what to say that could explain all of this, or at least postpone it, he lost his time with the human.

There was silence as tears rolled down Sam's eyes when he looked down. His anger morphing entirely into a dark air that wrapped around his heart, mind and soul. His voice dropping vastly in volume as he began stepping away from the leader. "… You can't answer, because you already know…"

His eyes returned back to meet the Witwicky's gaze for the first time in days. He now noticed the difference and how much has changed. But what had done so? What had taken away the light in his eyes and replaced it with dark murky pupils? As much as he wanted to move, he was frozen when his human friend paced around him, one last whisper leaving Sam's mouth as he did. "…Don't come find me and… I hope you're happy with Elita, Optimus Prime…"

The pain intensified in his spark as he turned as fast as he could. Everything was dizzy for him. Like he had committed an unforgivable sin. But he couldn't let it end there. "Sam, wait!" It was already too late. The human's hoody drawn up, Sam didn't look back to the holoform. And as his steps distanced them both further and farther away from each other, Optimus had never thought his name and title… could ever sound more like an insult than before.