It had been three days since Samuel had decided to stay on base with the others for a while longer. And since then, he'd been trying his hardest to muster whatever courage he had to talk with the Prime. He'd walk up to the door of the office, stare at it long and hard before reaching a hand to the knob (quickly replaced right after Bee had broken the last one). And each time, he'd cave in under the pressure and sprinted his body away. It didn't aid him when he had heard talks from the other that their leader was doing everything he could to distance himself as well.

From what they said, Optimus had managed to lock himself in his office with a couple dozen piles of paperwork to keep himself busy. There was also the rumour that the Autobot had destroyed the workplace the day Sam had tried to leave. Apparently, a few people noticed the loud sounds of crashing objects from outside the room with roars of rage mixed in. To anyone, it'd be worrying to hear such a thing, especially when it was true.

Will had dropped by the same afternoon and had his anxiety rush when he saw the room and found that the leader was nowhere to be found. Shortly after did the Cybertronian make his appearance, he formally apologised to the human captain. Optimus requested that none of this should be known to the others as Will agreed, grabbing a few soldiers to quickly make the replacements by nightfall and swearing them to secrecy. Lennox did want to ask questions, but decided better not to.

In any case, this showed that neither of the two were fully ready to face each other, much less talk. It was hard enough when Sam begun to regret walking away from the door over and over again, and the blonde's insistent talk and persuasion were only going to go so far.

Speaking about the yellow Camaro, the two had returned to their usual routine as a mixture of friends and brothers. Albeit, there were times when Bee was caught eyeing him up and had begun shooting flirty remarks towards the young adult. Sam had to wonder at times how no one else seemed to notice. And he began to wonder if they were actually just jokes, or it was a sign that Bee was making a move. But seeing him as a friend, Sam gave Bumblebee the benefit of the doubt and thought of them as nothing but conversational ease.

Moving on, Sam had done the job of recovering since a few days ago. Best night sleep he's had in a while, began a little training yesterday with Lennox and Epps, and had also got the colour of his skin back. There was the initial troubling fear that the pills wouldn't work at night, but it was at least controllable.

"…Sweetie…"

Sam groaned and rolled over to his side, thinking it was just his imagination.

"…Sweetie… It's time to get up…"

The voice was familiar. Calming, caring and soft. But it was muffled. Like they had been calling from behind a wall or something. In any case, he groaned again and pulled the blanket over his head.

"…Sweetie, your father is getting impatient for his breakfast… C'mon, it's time to wake up…"

Breakfast? He could skip one meal. It was his day off. After finishing organising everything he could for the party, the rest was left to Lennox and Epps… Wait a minute…

Sam pushed the blanket off as fast as he could and looked around in a hurried daze. For a moment, his mind shown an image of his room being lit up with bright lights and decorated parts, a Christmas tree somehow fitting in the centre. At his kitchen, he could see three figures sitting at the table, each he knew very well. The first being his mother, her hair an even brighter orange than last time while she carried a plate of pancakes over to the table. The second was his father, his eyes full of life than it had ever before, waiting for his wife to set the plate down. The third was Carly Spencer, taking a seat beside his mother as she laughed at one of the jokes Ron had made.

The young Witwicky could feel the smile stretching across his face the longer he stared. But the longer he did, the more the colours began to fade into pure grey. And suddenly, he was back to the present. Alone in his room whilst he sat up in bed and stared in the darkness. Everything was the way it was the night before. His smile dropped and his eyes lost the glimmer of hope it had. Tears screamed to come out, but he resisted. Instead, he pushed his body out of the bed and got ready for the new day.

As much as Sam wanted to continue sleeping, he'd known that the longer he stayed in his room, the more it continued to remind him why he had come to the base.


"For the last time Ironhide, no!" Optimus roared.

He glared at his two Cybertronian friends as they stood inside the office, their heavy gazes on the Prime. The moment they entered, he knew it wasn't a good sign. But by this point, it was just plain ridiculous why they came. Apparently, they had wanted him to leave the room for some time to 'himself'. He didn't believe it. Clearly when the young Witwicky was somehow brought up into the topic.

For two out of the three, it was getting rather childish how the Prime was acting. They all wanted the good of both their leader and friend, but if they were going to be stubborn about it, then they'd have to step in and make the change themselves.

"You can't just keep yourself in here until Samuel is ready to move out." The weapons specialist argued, having already snatched away the paperwork Optimus was in the middle of. "Now stop acting like such a sparkling and get out there!"

The Autobot leader grumbled in his teeth before pushing his back to the chair. "What difference would it make? Sam clearly doesn't want to speak with me."

"That implies that you know he's been avoiding you." Ratchet accused, snapping the Prime shut. Of course he didn't exactly know if the young human wanted to speak with him or not, but it's a more likely conclusion that he does.

"And it doesn't matter. You're obviously going to have to take the initiative at this point." Ironhide pointed out.

"Which, I have to agree with Ironhide on this one. Avoiding the problem is just going to make matters worse." The medic added, earning himself a glare from the leader in which he gladly returned. It seemed the persuading was going to be harder than Ratchet had originally thought. He'd need either some kind of incentive to get out or… A devious plan bore fruit within the medic's processor as he was careful not to allow his dark grin to appear.

"How about this," Ratchet started, "you won't need to talk to Sam whatsoever. But, you'll at least stay outside of your office for the entire day. How about it?" He offered, Ironhide and Optimus giving him a worried look.

.: What are you doing? The entire idea is to get him to talk to Sam. :. The weapons specialist spoke through the comm.

.: Keep your audio quiet and follow along. If we can't get him to talk to Sam, we'll just have to Sam talk to him. :.

.: … What are you planning…? :. He asked, now afraid of the answer.

.: I'll fill you in on the details later. Right now, just agree with the idea. :.

.: ... Fine. :.

Turning back to the Prime quickly, 'Hide seconded the proposal. "It's better than being cramped into such a tight space the entire day. One day shall do."

Optimus stared at the two with a suspicious glint in his eyes, having noticed the pause just before the black mech spoke. He groaned and reached a hand out to the paper that the burly holoform had held. When his fingers slightly grazed the sheet, the other hand holding the paper retracted and had pulled it further away from his reach. Looking up to his oldest friend's eyes, he glared once more. "Do we have a deal?"

Another groan rose from the Prime's throat. He knew that if he didn't agree now, they'd turn to coming back later for the same reason, or they'd drag him out by the arms. Either that or they would've eventually locked the door to room. So with caution, he nodded his head and once again tried to take the paper back. And again, the paper was pulled away. A cough from the two signalled what they wanted.

"Alright! If it will keep you two sane and happy, then I'll do it!" He announced.

"Great! You can start now!" The two said in unison, Ironhide dropping the paper and followed Ratchet around the table. Caught up in surprise, Optimus just simply blanked as the two pulled him out of the room by the pits of his arms. And before he even registered it, he was out of the room wobbling on two legs while the medic did a quick job of locking the door from within before leaving.

Turning around to his Autobot allies, he heaved a breath before beginning his quick walk around the entirety of the base.

The two watched as the leader rounded a corner and was out of sight and radar. "Now what?" The weapons specialist asked.

The medic turned to him and replied with his thought out plan. The black mech listened in as his face was shifting through the explanation. From confusion, to anxiousness, then bafflement, and finally proud at what Ratchet had come up with in such a short amount of time. Intending to congratulate Ratchet with a slap on the back, he was caught off guard when a wrench had come to the side of his head right after.


'Dammit Sam! Get your shit together and just face the guy!' He screamed at himself internally, knowing that little could be done. Looking down to the notes he was just handed, he cursed how the schedule just screws up and has the married captain returning the notes and jobs over to him. Just when he thought it was all done for him, life has to make it harder by giving more to do. It wasn't the fact of how much he had to do for a simple party, it was the fact about how he was going to do it. Once again, he is tasked with speaking with the Prime about a few details needed.

Arcee and Jolt had some free time to walk with him and talk, but even they were pulled away by another one of Prowl's plans of training. The best they did was keep watch of the young Witwicky while he walked to the leader's office before leaving. And now that Sam was here, he was seriously doubting himself. But in his favour, the last few times he hadn't a real reason to speak with Optimus. But now that he did, it was even more awkward.

I mean, if he just suddenly shows up and talks about something completely different that doesn't involve the last 'talk', the thick air would surely return to the base.

A headache came as he approached closer to the door. Or maybe it was just his heart telling him to run like hell. Either way, his body was objecting to whatever his mind thought. His hand now reached up and slowly approached the handle, his heart increasing rapidly.

"Sam!"

'Oh thank god!' He mentally cried, pulling his hand and eyes away, just noticing that he was sweating buckets full. Turning his body towards the approaching black mech. As the holoform approached the Witwicky, Sam calmed his heart with a hand over his chest.

"Uh, hey 'Hide. So what's up?"

"Trouble. Sam, Bee's been attacked." He informed. A moment was needed before the words began to process and his minds went alert on the news.

"What?! Is he okay?"

"He was ambushed by a 'Con on his patrol. He said that he wants to see you."

"Uhh…" Looking back to the door with a sense of worry and guilt. He shook his head of the thought of the Prime before looking back.

"Alright."


It was only a short five minutes before Sam and Ironhide had reached the door, stopping when the Witwicky noticed who was running his way from the other corridor. Optimus. All three stopped at the door, catching their breaths and staring in horror of who was opposite to the other. Optimus stared at his human friend, confirming it was the Witwicky when they had locked eyes. If he knew that Sam was coming, he would've certainly waited a while longer before coming to see the scout. But since the weapons specialist had forgotten to mention that they were coming in his comm…

Disregarding the fact that two had finally seen eye-to-eye, since a few days ago, he turned to the door, opening it as he was ready for the sight of his injured comrade. But there wasn't a single soul. Not one person within the room. Not even the medic, which was expected every time they entered the room. Sam had peeked over his shoulder to find the same thing. They were shocked and confused on why there was no one inside.

Before anything could be said and/or done, a pair of hands had pushed behind the human, causing a domino effect with the leader in front of him. The two collapsed on the floor with a loud thud as Sam winced and Optimus groaned in pain. Their eyes opened when a slam behind them was heard. As Sam rolled off of the holoform, the two gazed up and found the door behind them was shut, Ironhide peering in a window on the other side.

Optimus pushed off onto his feet before gripping the handles of the frame, pulling hard against it. He then looked through the window of the doors, finding both Ironhide and the magically appearing Ratchet with dark smirks on their expressions. Then it clicked like a lightbulb, the Prime's wrath flaring when he grasped the entire image.

"Ironhide! Ratchet! Open the door! Now!" He ordered. Ironhide placed a hand to his ear and pretended not to hear while Ratchet began to shout through the glass.

"It seems the door has deadlocked itself for an hour. Not even I can unlock it if it does." The old holoform chuckled. Optimus growled as he knew it was true. The one things even the Autobots can't bring down was the deadlock system. Personally created by both Ratchet and Wheeljack working hand in hand, it keeps everything within the room safe and secured. The coding changes every minute with an entirely random algorithm each time. Fine work that can't be decrypted without both creators.

He growled again, questioning on how he could've been tricked so easily. He was quickly pulled away when he heard Sam pulling up from behind him. Quickly moving to the human's side to steady him, he faced the door and found that the two Cybertronians were gone. The door still locked. He cursed quietly.


Sam threw his head up against the wall, tired of waiting. Standing patiently at the door opposite to him, Optimus. His arms crossed and his finger continuously tapping. He began to wonder how long they've been kept in the room. But judging by what the medic had said and comparing it to the clock on the wall, they still had a long forty minutes to go. And it didn't help that the two were getting anxious around each other the longer they had to wait.

The tapping continued as they held the same thought. It was like this; Sam wants Optimus to strike the conversation, while Optimus waited for him Sam to begin the 'talk'. Of course they had tried during the first twenty minutes, but that had ended with nothing leaving their mouth. The young adult could only stare at the holoform's back, noticing how it was more tensed than ever. A clear indication that the Prime was uncomfortable. That also had done the job of defining his muscles through the jacket.

The human's hazel brown eyes traced the lines of the leather, noticing how they were stretched by the muscles under it and how the jacket suited the man quite well. And when his eyes travelled lower, his mind finally came back and he had noticed that he had been staring for the last five minutes. His blush now covered his cheeks when he turned away. But he couldn't help but remember each detail within his mind.

Optimus fidgeted slightly, having felt the intensified gaze on his back for the last few minutes, he could not say he was completely at ease. When he casted a look to the corner of his eye, he was grateful to find the young adult had finally looked away. A small release of breath went through him, barely audible, a hand then coming up to rub the back of his head. In his mind, he had a mixed feeling of hate and understanding on why his old friends would do such a thing in the first place, and he knows he has to play his part as well.

During the time, he thought maybe he could release his holoform and return to his body, but that left two problems. One, it'd be plain rude just to up and go when placed in a tight situation. And two, he'd be leaving the Witwicky alone in the room for an entire hour. So he quickly erased the thought and waited.

Time ticked slowly as Optimus released the stance he's been holding for the last twenty minutes, catching the human off guard when a sigh of relief escaped. For whatever reason at that time, either if it was out of boredom, or for the sake of building the trust they once had, he talked.

"… I apologise, Samuel. It seems you've been dragged into another one of my problems."

Sam raised a brow. With every thought process he could muster, the first word that got out defined what he thought. "What?" This time, the Prime had turned to meet the young adult's eyes, a look of hurt in his.

"As I said, I'm sorry for everything we-… I've put you through. Please forgive me." Optimus dropped his eyes and lowered his head a few degrees. Something he read meant to show respect in human cultures. Not much different when kneeling to a superior on Cybertron.

There was silence. Then Sam spoke. "Optimus, you know you have nothing to blame for, right?"

The Cybertronian lifted his eyes and cocked his head to the side. "What?"

As Sam stood up, he turned his head away with an embarrassed blush colouring his cheeks before speaking appropriately. "… I have to admit, I said some… things, 'that' day. Things I know I shouldn't have and were wrong of me to say so. Bringing in something that had nothing related to what we talked about that day. And it was also wrong of me to take it out all on you… I'm sorry…"

"But it isn't your fault. I was ignorant to the fact that Elita had some sort of grudge against you. You were only saying what was true… Which I hadn't found out until after you returned. I must apologise on her part. And mine."

After a while, Optimus' head lifted up to the sound of something he did not expect in such a situation. Laughter. He watched as the teen sat himself on the bed of the room, a hand reaching over his eyes. The Prime feared for a moment that his human friend had lost himself to insanity. When the holoform had taken a step forward to the bed, the young adult quickly read his mind and stopped him with a hand.

Stifling his laughs, he quieted down before talking. "S-Sorry. It's just, I have the strangest sense of déjà vu. You of all people should know what I mean."

The Cybertronian processed it for a moment before it clicked. The situation they were in had been repeated before. In fact, it was merely a few weeks ago that they had been saying almost the same thing as today. The night when they both finally sat down and talked appropriately. When Sam had figured it out, he must've found it humorous. And now that he managed to connect the dots, he couldn't help the smile that crept up his own lips.

Humming in approval, he shook his head in a playful manner. "Indeed. I too get that feeling right now."

"Then should we continue how we left off last time?"

"We could. I'd very much like it if Bumblebee would burst through the door right now." The Prime admitted, turning to said entrance. "It'd give us a way out." Sam tilted his body so he saw past the holoform.

"Yeah… Do you know why they locked us in here in the first place?" Sam questioned, hiding the fact that he himself already knew the answer the moment they had been locked in. He just wanted to confirm if Optimus knew himself. Though, the question only made the Autobot stiffen on the spot as he turned back to the human with an uncertain smile.

"N-Not a clue…"

Sam wasn't convinced. Especially when Optimus turned away the moment after. Once again, the pair of eyes on his back returned. Sam turned away a second after, looking at the clock again. Twenty-five minutes. A thought had hit the teen as he turned again to the Autobot.

"Hey, Optim-"

"Orion."

Sam blinked when his sentence was cut. Optimus spoke up again. "Orion. Orion Pax. That's my name before I was given designation of Optimus Prime. I-I'd rather you'd me refer to as such when we're a-alone." Optimus stuttered, his spark's engine revving while his holoform grew hot. The human was the closest friend he's ever had in a long time. It'd be rude of the Cybertronian to not introduce his true name.

The young adult went wide-eyed, thanking the gods that the Prime was looking away. Otherwise he would've noticed the red-stained, flushed face. Nervously, Sam tried again. "O-Orion, you remember that party we've been planning, right?"

Optimus turned. "… The one you started a week ago?"

"Right. Well, I-I was w-wondering if you c-could, y'know, do m-me a favour right after i-it?"

"What sort of favour?"

"I-It's nothing big, really! I-It's just… can you d-drive me s-somewhere? You don't have to do it! I can ask one of the o-others. Or I can just walk! It's nothing really. Shit. I mean, j-just forget I asked. Sorry I-"

"Sam," The human peeked up at the sound of his name, his heart skipping when brilliant blue eyes pierced through him. His smile radiating as bright as star. And was it just him, or was it getting a bit hot in here? "I'd be delighted to do you the favour."

"O-Oh… Cool. I guess, right a-after the party should work."

"It'll be late by the time we leave. And where is it exactly that we're going?" Optimus asked.

"Ah, nowhere special. Just..." His words trailed away when an image splashed across his sight. It pushed away the Witwicky's perspective of the medic room, and brought him into the past. Particularly, a forest.

"Sam… Run…"

'Oh god. Why now.' He thought. Of all the times to have relapse. Whipping his head away a moment too quick, Optimus had easily noticed and had raced to his side. The human's breathing began to quicken while his sweat pores began to let loose the waterworks. He could've sworn that he heard the Autobot calling his name by his side, but it was swiftly muted by the loud drumming of his heart in his ears. Was it his heart? Or was it a migraine his head decided to produce in the moment. Dropping back down onto his rear, he pulled his legs in as he covered his ears with his hands, hoping either the migraine or the drumming would stop. The thought of screaming to drown out the sound had come to mind, but since his hands hardly did anything, he tried not to.

But then, his eyes flicked open, when he didn't even realise they were closed. Around his shoulders, a pair of arms wrapped around him pulled him into something warm and firm. Gradually, the drumming lowered and lowered, allowing only for the slightest sound of one voice to reach his brain. "Sam, everything's alright. You're alright. I'm here."

Sam turned his head, finally figuring out what was around him when something nuzzled the top of his head. It was Optimus. Alive and well. From the beat of his heart- or spark he guessed- to the soft lines he drew on the young adult's back. And slowly, his hands had fallen and curled themselves around the Prime, clutching desperately at the leather jacket while his head buried into the holoform's chest.

The Witwicky couldn't tell how long they stayed like so, but it was long enough for everything to return. The air flow in his lungs evening out, the sweat stopped forming, his heart soothing into the silence and his mind calming into ease. When his mind and body had finally found peace, it was as if the Prime had just known that it was the right moment to ask. "Sam… Are you alright?"

Quiet, then a nod. "Would you like to talk about it?" No reply. "That's okay. I won't force you to do or say anything. I just want to be there to help every time." Sam took note of this, and shook his head lightly this time. Optimus only separated their body an inch or two to look at the human in the eyes. Sam wanted to look away, but he knew he could trust the leader. So he began explaining. The nightmares, yes. His feelings, no. And albeit, he'd done it through small whispers and long pauses, Optimus didn't tear his attention away for anything.

After the recount, the young Witwicky was pulled into another tight embrace, a hum singing to him. He thought that the leader would view him as weak and pathetic, but everything in the tune Optimus sang was only of comfort and respect. Soon, the song ended, but they remained still. Not long after, Optimus began talking again. "Sam, forget about the past. I won't be dying any time soon. Not when there are still many things holding me to this world." Two fingers moved under the young adult's chin and brought his head up, levelling their gaze. "Including you."

Sam held a small gasp when he noticed the holoform's head began to lean closer. The texture of those looks from up close looked as much as the young adult had always imagined them. And as they came closer and closer, Sam parted his own lips and dropped his eyes slowly. Is this happening? Is this really happening right now?

The two pulled apart at the sound of an unlocking door, almost jumping. Turning their eyes the way of the sealed door, it was found to be unlocked… And had the displeasuring sight of the two Autobots from an hour ago returning. Though when they stepped in, they froze like the other pair and stared as if a deer in headlights. Of course they had to come and interrupt a 'moment'.

Sure, their plan was to get them inside and start talking, but they didn't expect things to get intimate in only an hour. At least, intimate in Cybertronian terms. Optimus looked at their gazes, then bringing his eyes to the position him and the human were in, getting the picture as he stood up, shook his head and waved his hand. It took a few minutes of explaining what had happened and defending his case before they got the picture. But they weren't exactly 'happy' about it either. Ratchet and Ironhide went ballistic when they weren't informed about the nightmares. Sam defended with his case that it hadn't been a problem for a while since he's started taking the pills. The blame was then placed on the doctor for having diagnosed the patient and not informing of the other two Cybertronians of the symptoms he was suffering. Which then had Ratchet countering with the fact that it was his patient and that they all deserved their right of privacy. That managed to shut the two up.

Afterwards, the medic began stressing himself over the fact that there was a relapse, while the two other Autobots sat themselves on the spare chairs on the side. Sam had been forced back onto the bed whilst Ratchet began working once again. And as the doctor worked, Optimus didn't help as he continued to lecture the two through the comm-link for trapping them inside the room. Out of the corner of Sam's eyes, he had met Optimus' strong gaze, both blushing and turning away immediately.

During those points, Sam had to wonder, what was Optimus about to do before the two had come in?