Sam threw his head against the wall, tired of waiting. Standing patiently at the door opposite to him was the Prime, his arms crossed and his finger continuously tapping. He began to wonder how long they've been kept in the room. 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.
It was like this; Sam wants Optimus to strike the conversation, while Optimus waited for Sam to. Of course they had tried during the first twenty minutes, but that had ended with nothing leaving their mouth. The young adult stared at the holoform's back, noticing how it was more tensed than ever before. This was a clear indication that the leader was uncomfortable. But that had also done the job of defining his muscles through the jacket.
The human's hazel brown eyes traced the lines of the jacket, noticing how they were stretched by the muscles under it and had 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 while he worked with whatever he had in his memory.
Optimus fidgeted slightly. Having felt the intensified glare 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 that the teen had finally looked away. A small release of breath went through him, a hand reaching up to comb his hair back even further. In his mind, he had a mixed feeling of hate and understanding on why his oldest friends would do this, but unfortunately it wasn't turning out how they expected. Yes, they got the two to be in a room together, but now what? One can't just expect them to start talking.
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 an eyebrow. 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 teen'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 centimetres. Something he read to show respect in human cultures. Not much different when kneeling to superior on Cybertron.
There was audible 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, an embarrassed blush colouring his cheeks before speaking appropriately. "… I had to admit, I was wrong 'that' day. It was wrong of me to say what I had. Bringing out something that didn't relate to what we… talked about that day. And it was also wrong of me to take it out all on you… I'm sorry…"
…
…
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 holoform feared for a moment that his human friend had lost himself to insanity. When the Prime 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. "Sorry. Just had the strangest sense of déjà vu. You know what I mean?"
The Cybertronian took a moment to process the words before it clicked. The situation they were in had been repeated before. In fact, it was merely a fortnight ago that they had been saying almost the same thing as today. When Sam had figured it out, he must've found it humorous. And now that Optimus had connected the dots, he couldn't help the smile that crept up his lips.
Humming in approval, he shook his head as well. "Indeed. I get that feeling as well."
"Then should we continue how we left off last time?"
"We could. I'd very much like it if Ironhide bursts through the door." 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, lying as he already knew the answer to why they had. He just wanted to know if the Prime had known. The question only made the Autobot stiffen on the spot as he turned back to the teen with an uncertain smile.
"N-Not a clue…"
Sam wasn't convinced. Especially when Optimus had quickly turned back. The leader could feel the pair of eyes on his back. The human turned away a second after, looking at the clock once again. Twenty minutes. A thought had hit the teen as he turned again to the Autobot.
"Hey, Opti-"
"Orion."
Sam blinked when his sentence was cut off. Then Optimus repeated himself. "Orion Pax. That was my designation before I was deemed a Prime. I-I'd rather you'd refer me to as such." Optimus said, his spark's engine revving while his holoform grew hot. The human was the closest friend he'd ever had in a long time. It'd be rude of the Cybertronian to not introduce his birth name.
The young adult went wide-eyed, thanking the gods that the Prime was looking away from his red-stained face. Nervously, he tried again. "O-Orion, you said once before that you'd like to meet my parents."
"… Yes…?"
"W-Well, they've just arrived y-yesterday night and well, th-they wanted to meet you today. I mean, y-you don't have to, but-"
"Sam," He peeked up at the sound of his name, his heart skipping a beat when those brilliant blue eyes pierced through him. His smile radiating as bright as star. Was it just him, or was it getting hot in here? "I'd gladly meet with them."
"C-Cool. I guess I can introduce you guys after we're out."
His smile stretched a millimetre wider. "Of course. I, as well, would like to meet your Creators." Another step was taken while Sam looked back up. His smile dropping when a sudden image splashed across his sight.
"Why… Sam…"
Oh god, why now. Of all the times to get a relapse. He whipped his head away a moment, too quick as the Prime had easily noticed and was approaching 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 had heard Optimus calling his name if not for the loud drumming of his heart in his ears. Was it his heart? Or was it his head that was providing a minor migraine at the moment. Maybe he was just thinking too hard and its all a hallucination?He couldn't tell.
His eyes flicked open, he didn't even realise, they were close, when a pair of arms pulled him into something warm and firm. Slowly, the drumming lowered only enough for one voice to reach his brain. "Sam, everything's alright. You're alright."
The teen turned his head, finally figuring out what he was leaning on when something nuzzled his hair. It was Optimus. Alive and well. From the beat of his heart- or spark he guessed- to the soft circles he drew on the young adult's back. Slowly, his own arms curled around the Prime, clutching desperately at the leather jacket while his head buried into the man's chest.
After a minute, the Prime decided to ask. "Sam… Are you alright?" Quiet, then a nod. "Would you like to talk about it?" No reply. "Sam, it's better if I knew what upsets you to help. Please." The holoform pleaded, separating only an inch or two to look the teen in the eyes. Sam wanted to look away, but he knew if he did, it'd only provide more trouble. So he whispered. Not silently, but just enough for the bot to hear everything about the nightmares.
After the review, he 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 the Prime had made was only of comfort and respect, something else as well. Bravery? Soon, the song ended, but they remained still.
The two stayed in the position for what seemed like eternity. It wasn't until the sound of an unlocking door that had released the two from their silence and turned their eyes towards the door. Much to their pleasure, the medic and weapons specialist had reappeared. Though when they stepped in, they froze like a pair of deer in headlights, noticing how they had just interrupted yet another moment.
Sure, their plan was to get them inside. But they didn't expect things to get intimate in only an hour. At least, intimate in Cybertronian terms. When Optimus looked at their gaze, he brought his eyes to the position him and the human were in, getting the picture as he stood up, he shook his head and waved his hand. It took a minute to explain what had happened, Ratchet already knowing the part of nightmares, and relieving them of any wrong implications. Ironhide went ballistic when he wasn't informed about the nightmares as well as Optimus when the medic had refused to tell his Prime. Ratchet countered with the fact that it was his patient and that they deserved they right of privacy. That had managed to shut the two up.
So when the medic had begun stressing himself over the fact that there was relapse, the two sat themselves down on the spare chairs. And as the medic worked, Optimus didn't help as he continued to lecture the two through the comm-link. Out of the corner of their eyes, Optimus had kept the other in sight, blushing and turning away when the other would meet their gazes.
A few days later…
Sam had one word when he woke. Bright. It was harsh on his eyes when the lights came on in the flick of switch and the sounds of many shouting. He nearly had a heart attack when a few party poppers went off and laughter had followed. Blinking, the room was fuzzy before it had cleared and everything was placed into retrospect. There were his parents. Will and Epps. Optimus and Bee. A few soldiers. And basically everyone he knew was inside his room. Each holding a grin of their own before a countdown from three was made. When the countdown reached its end, the room went loud.
"Merry Christmas!"
A groan escaped the teen as he covered his ears before reaching below his pillow. Luckily, he came prepared for situations like these after one fateful morning with the twins and another with his college roommate. Though honestly, he'd never thought he'd ever need to use it. What he pulled out were two objects. Both items worried the room's population. One was a dog whistle while the other was an air horn. He found that a dog whistle was as effective on an Autobot as a blow horn to a human.
There wasn't any mercy left when the whistle was blown and the air horn pressed. The Autobots cursed while vacating the room while the human population followed right after. Sam got up from the bed and followed them out, watching as a few stumbled and Ironhide banged his head on the wall outside. When all were finally out, the door was quickly shut and Sam had stopped to lock it.
Where he got the tools from? Well, Will gave the whistle to him as a precaution ever since the twins had gotten in and the other was bought from his friend when they decided to prank him on one study-night. A sigh of relief for having them ready beforehand. Then he took a moment to look around the room. Somehow, they had managed to sneak in a full grown Christmas tree and decorated it while he slept. It was the same thing for the rest of his room as balloons, streamers and decoration were placed.
He stared in awe for only a few seconds before returning to his bed to hide the weapons once more. Quickly rushing to the bathroom to clean up, he returned a few short minutes later in a fresh new pair of clothes and brighter look on his face. When opening his door, he was surprised to see everyone was still outside, waiting for him as they chattered among themselves. When they turned to find the college student was out, the group began to gather around him, a smile on their faces as most had forgotten of the attack on their ears and audio receptors.
He laughed when each gave their own version of a 'hello'. "Merry Christmas, everyone."
The rest of the day, he found that he was dragged around by mostly everyone. Bee who had wanted to show the bot-sized snowman he built, the twins who grabbed a few people into a snowball fight, Ratchet giving his daily check-up, Ironhide showing off a new cannon he had built, and then to Jolt, Sideswipe and Bee as they had another race on frozen ice. Let's not forget the humans as Will and Epps had brought him and the soldiers he befriended to a friendly game of FIFA at the rec-room and his parents who pampered him with gifts.
By the time the sun had begun to touch the horizon, everyone had squashed themselves into the equally decorated rec-room, enjoying the classic family movie of Home and Alone. There were times when everyone laughed, times when they winced and cringed at the pain inflicted in the movie, and then there were cheers when the burglars were brought down. In between one of the scenes, Bee whispered quietly to Sam. "I hope Skids and Mudflap don't get any wild ideas from this." The teen thought for a moment, then nodded. He hoped as well.
When the movie ended, the Cybertronians applauded, prompting everyone else to. Then the room was filled with questions, the humans trying to explain each one given. By the end of it, the Autobots had gotten a better understanding of the movie, each giving their own comments. Everyone turned when Judy had whistled towards the group.
"Now everyone, I'd like to give my thanks to you all for looking after our son, the only way I know how. Now, if you'd all follow me towards the dining hall." With that, Judy had lead the way out the door, everyone picking up their belongings, turning off the TV and lights before exiting. Obviously, the bots hadn't a need for food substances, but they had rather enjoyed the company of the humans. Especially a certain college student.
They began to wonder how 'grand' the human mother had made it, judging by how she had set up the decorations for both the rec-room and Sam's quarters. Though when they had entered it, they were left frozen. From a large rusty, old room, it was now a shrine to the Christmas spirit. Six trees placed in each corner and each intersection of tables. Red tablecloths covering almost every table. Candles, plates, utensils and some potted flowers laid perfectly apart from each other. In the middle of the tables were dishes among dishes of food.
No one spoke for almost a minute before Sam did. "… Damn…" Then the female Witwicky turned on her heel.
"Well? Don't just stand there. Take a seat and find a plate." Then the room was flurry of moving people and chattering heads. The only one left standing was Sam who had taken the moment to embrace his mother in a loving hug, Judy returning it with an equal amount.
"Thanks, Mum." He whispered.
"Anything and everything for you, sweetie." She responded before they separated and Sam was hurried off to a seat.
Taking the closest one possible, he found himself in between Optimus and Bee's holoforms. Everyone gave their prayers before the room's population had went wild with noise. Sam was having difficulty handling his food while maintaining a conversation with less than two people. Each had what they wanted to say while Sam nodded and ate, throwing his own opinions during moments of chewing and placing another piece into his mouth.
His attention drew to the blonde when a tap from his direction made him turn. He found the holoform was looking away, but his finger quietly tapping on a napkin. Sam swallowed his food before playing along with the Autobot, pulling the piece of fabric away. Flipping it over in his hand, he read the content.
'Look up.'
Confused by the message, he did as read and gazed up. His eyes widened at what he found was dangling over him. From the corner of the Prime's eye, he saw the teen look up as he did so as well. He found a bush of green ivies, tied together by a red ribbon and dangled over him and the human by a string. When looked back down, he found the teen hiding his face in his hands while the tips of his ears grew red.
"Sam, is everything alright? What is that hovering above us?" Optimus asked innocently, only making the human groan before he reached a hand to his right and lightly punched the scout. Bee gave a hearty laugh while everyone else wondered what was wrong. When their eyes glazed over the mistletoe, the humans doubled over with Sam groaning more. Optimus watched before he asked again. "Sam?"
"It's a mistletoe, Optimus."
The Prime went to work on the World Wide Web, searching the word up before a numerous amount of information appeared. Reading it, he found nothing interesting as of yet. That was until the college student whispered in his hands.
"Try the meaning behind a mistletoe."
And without question, he renewed his search entry. Again, much information was given as most he read the first one given.
'Once an aphrodisiac for the Greeks, it is now used as a holiday tradition to exchange a kiss under one.'
Now he understood most of what it said except one part said. Deciding that it is better to ask, he turned to the still flushed Sam. "What is a kiss?"
The ones who had just recovered from their earlier outburst were now wheezing while the word travelled across tables and the teen was now steaming out of his ears. A few shouts, catcalls and call outs were made from other tables as practically the entire room had their eyes on the two. Things like 'Go on and tell 'im', 'Don't hold back!', and even 'Go for first base now!'.
Sam could only be silent and slam his head on the table for a moment. Though they were worried, most of the Autobots merely watched and waited for an explanation. Pulling up his head, he took a breath before answering it. "It's a human way of showing affection or care." The teen was beet-red, deciding not to go into the full details. But of course, the Prime had pushed him into a corner.
"How?"
"Um… Will?" Now going for plan B, he pushed the question onto the nearest humans, which happened to be the captain across from his seat.
"Uh-uh. I'm not kissing anybody other than my wife and daughter."
"Epps?"
"No way man!" The sergeant refused.
"Um… uhh…"
"Sam, why don't you demonstrate it?" The room went silent, the sound of a few cups and plates shattering. For a moment, the teen thought the leader was joking. Then he filed it down as a brain fart. Optimus was always serious. But was he really going to kiss Orion Pax, otherwise known as Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots and super-intelligent being from another world, in front of everyone including his parents. He thought not.
"Sorry, no can do…" The room was silenced with a few 'aws' here and there. Sam promised to remember the ones who were cheering them to actually go through with it. Looking back up, he found the mistletoe was gone and the fun was over. He'd have to find out who had set up the darn thing as well, but he had suspicions of a certain Camaro. For now, he sat back down and resumed his meal like everyone else had.
Fortunately, he did not meet the Prime's eyes. Seeing as the leader had missed out on another opportunity. But opportunity for what, he wondered.
After dinner, the group decided to treat themselves to one last movie before turning in for the night. Deciding upon something calming and peaceful, the group voted for the classic Polar Express. Not much could be said about the movie as everyone enjoyed the calming minutes of the movie. Sam sat once again between the yellow Camaro and the Peterbilt was poorly squashed with him sitting at one end of the couch, Bee sitting on the armrest and Optimus on his other side. Though he had to lean on the two to actually fit everyone on the couch, neither of the two minded.
It was about halfway through the movie did he notice movement on his right, where Bee was sitting. But since it was such a small movement, he didn't think he had needed to look his way. Then he felt it, a hand moving over his. Just as he was about to pull away, guessing the blonde had moved it by accident, his hand was grabbed silently. Turning his head only the tiniest bit to look at the seeker, he noted that Bee had his eyes on the movie as if nothing had happened. Not wanting to make a big deal out of it, Sam kept quiet and blushed silently. His blush could only intensify when Bee webbed his fingers.
He was no longer able to focus on the movie as he feared that one of the others may spot him. Every minute or so, he'd glance around to see if anyone had noticed. Luckily, none had and were preoccupied with the movie. His nerves had begun to ease itself when twenty minutes had passed. But as fate would have it, he would always be given the short end of life. Once more, he found small movement; this time to his left. He had a growing anxiety when something had glided over the back of his right hand. Figuring it was the Prime's finger, he hoped it was just pure coincidence and an accident that he touched. But no. The finger traced up to a knuckle before pulling itself back to his wrist. It drew circles that was strangely arousing the teen. Then the worst came. A palm lowered over his, the heat from the hand passed directly through the contact. The familiar hand turned his, interlacing their fingers with his, one at a time. And for the second time that day, his head erupted into steam.
At first he wasn't able to process the movie, even though he had watched it many times in his childhood, now he was barely able to give a thought other than the two hands that had held onto his. The warmth generated from both contacts was only making his heart beat harder. One hand is that of the one he loves. The other is the hand of the one that loves him. It clearly portrayed the events of the past few weeks. Keep holding onto the one he loved, he forgets about the other. Try and love the one that loves him, the other hand tightens. He wished his life could only be so simple. But God always had other plans.
By the end of the movie, which he didn't realise that it had gone by, his hands were free. But the warmth that remained behind followed. As people began to move, most have chosen to stay silent as a few had dozed off on the movie, choosing to sleep in their spots. He didn't know where they came from, but blankets were soon pulled out as they were draped over the unconscious. One on Ironhide, Ratchet, the twins and only couple of soldiers including Epps. The rest silently exited the door, flicking off the lights and ease the door into closing.
Once out, everyone gave their goodnights and thank you before everyone began to split. Sam received in total 4 hands shakes, 3 slaps on the shoulder and 2 hugs from his parents. While everyone filed out, he noticed that the only ones left were him, Optimus and Bee. God, it could not be more awkward. The two had begun to lead the way to the quarters, choosing the time to ask any questions on the movie. Sam had to reflect on the movie years ago to answer for he questioned how they were able to even remain focused on the movie after 'that'. Neither of them decided to bring it up, so that was a plus.
When they had reached the door to Sam's room, they waited patiently for the teen to lock his door before they turned to each other, a serious look adorning their faces. Optimus started. "Bumblebee, earlier you had sent a transmission that you had wanted to talk. Would you like to now?"
"Yes. I have only one question Optimus."
"Alright. Go on."
"I see you as brother, Optimus. So please answer this truthfully, do you 'love' Sam?" He inquired. The leader, being caught off guard as his facial expression clearly showed, waited a second before answering.
"Of course I do. He has saved our lives more than once at the risk of his-"
"You know that is not what I'm asking. I'm asking if your spark pulses for him?"
Optimus was left silent without an answer. He didn't know how he felt. He's always assumed that his love would last as long as Elita's spark held life. But now that he couldn't feel the bond, he was feeling the sensation of a 'crush' all over again. This time with Sam. He pondered the question for a while. During the movie, when he had pulled the teen into a hand grip, and during that time in the dining hall, he had surely felt his spark move for the human. But…
When the Prime didn't answer for a full minute, Bee spoke again. "Let me tell you something, Optimus. If you truly want things to happen with you and Sam, then go forward and ask him. But if you still insist that your spark is for Elita-1, then decide. Save him the pain of not knowing." The blonde said, dispersing his holoform a few seconds after.
Optimus stood there for the longest time, the words echoing inside him. 'Save him the pain of not knowing.'. That line seemed so familiar. As he thought back further. Then, a line that the medic said had clicked in his head. 'Optimus, one other thing. If my first theory is true and it does take time to rebuild a bond, can I ask if you truly want it?'. Though they're different words, the same meaning was held behind them. Then he began to question if it was as they said, that he had feelings for the human. If someone had asked him that a few weeks ago, he would've denied it almost immediately. But now…
…
…
He needed time. Even though he had stepped out of his office because of the fact that he had agreed to spend less work in it, his thoughts ran mostly inside that door. For now, he'd think more seriously on the matter.
