'Tis the season!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Here's an early Christmas present for my wonderful readers. God bless you all! :D

It was the time of year the humans called Christmas. Jack, Miko and Raf were all at their homes, celebrating with their families and exchanging gifts. Even the Decepticons seemed to be otherwise occupied during this festive time. The base was quiet, and Optimus had left it that way.

xxx

Unlike the dry cold of Nevada, the Cascades glittered with crystal dew. The road was slick, and the Prime drove slowly, scanning the ridge as he did. He wouldn't be able to see the entrance from here, but he wondered if he could be seen from that vantage point. Part of him mused. Often, when he came on this road, it felt as if he was being watched. Not in a threatening way, but thoughtfully. Did Melody wait for him there, until he came close enough to spot her?

Optimus couldn't explain why he wondered these things. They seemed irrelevant. For some reason, they carried a heavy meaning to him. He still hadn't told the others about his visits to the twins' hideout. Except for Ratchet, of course. The medic didn't probe, though he could tell there was something more to these visitations than just business. Nevertheless, he didn't ask questions. Which was why Optimus trusted him to know his destination.

As he approached the turnoff into the forest, the Prime set his attention on the road ahead. Though Melody still occupied his mind. Despite their nearly identical appearances, she and Vibes were very different. Not only in personality, but in spirit. Vibes was youthful, curious, while Melody was a bit more reserved and intuitive. He could always tell them apart. Why was that?

xxx

A door had finally been installed in the entryway, to add a bit more security to the hideout. It opened, recognizing The visitor, revealing the festively lit passage beyond. Vibes had repurposed the lights from the old mining tunnel, stringing them up along the walls like the humans' Christmas lights. She had collected branches and such to make wreaths and garlands. As Optimus walked farther in, he found the twin tipping a makeshift star up onto the top of a cone-shaped tree.

Vibes turned, beaming at their guest.

"What do you think? I read that the humans decorate like this, and I wanted to try it."

Optimus nodded, surveying the room. She had certainly put a lot of work into it. But it wasn't the decor he was searching. Vibes saw straight through it, smirking a little.

"You're looking for Melody." She said knowingly. Optimus looked at her, blinking. She chuckled softly, stepping down from the container she had been standing on. She, like her sister, was small. Not even shoulder height compared to the Prime. However, with her gift for reading emotion, the petite femme carried an edge about her. She folded her arms, looking up thoughtfully at Optimus.

"Unless I'm mistaken, I'd say you're smitten." She told him.

"Smitten?" He inquired, unfamiliar with the word. However, he could have interpreted the meaning on his own. Considering Vibes' sentimental nature. She giggled.

"Please. You're just like her. I can tell love when I see it."

Optimus looked away, extinguishing the warmth from his faceplate. Vibes' smile faded, and she turned back to the tree.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just excited for my sister. Her first love… didn't go so well."

Optimus cast a curious glance at the twin. His own memories of that time that love thrived had faded greatly. The emotion Vibes spoke with now proved that she knew much more of it than did he. For the first time in a long time, his curiosity got the best of him.

"If I may ask… who was her 'first love'?"

Vibes was quiet for a moment, letting the rancid memories boil in her mind as she searched for the appropriate words.

"...A wretched mech named Cannon." She replied, staring grimly ahead. "He treated her horribly. I can easily believe that he had vile plans in store for her."

"...Yet this is in the past," Said Optimus, pulling her out of the hateful trance. She loved her sister dearly, and the thought of her being harmed filled her with rage.

"...Yes." She murmured. "In the past. Thankfully, we never saw him again after…"

Optimus waited patiently for her to continue.

"...after…"

She looked down, tears welling. Squeezing her optics chut, she forced them away.

No. She thought. This is supposed to be a happy time.

Raising her head up again, she turned,

"... And I am glad. We never saw him again, and my sister was spared from what might have been a vulgar fate. But now, there is yet hope for her love life."

She let her words sink in for a moment, then forced a smile;

"Anyway, she's in the North hall." She nodded towards the passage, then giggled slightly. "Probably still fretting about your arrival, I bet."

"In that case, I should wait." Optimus said. Vibes tensed. She hadn't expected that…

Determined to seem nonchalant, she nodded, and breezed over to the computer, pulling up the article she had been reading earlier. Though now, for some reason, she couldn't focus. The Prime's gaze settled on her. She knew he had questions.

Just ask. She pleaded internally. Just get it over with, will you? Ask.

"Have… you ever been in love?" He inquired cautiously. She didn't have to answer, but it couldn't be held in any longer.

"Yes." She said, trying desperately to keep her voice from cracking. Tears threatened again. She stared at the screen, not having to be pressed to continue;

"He was not like Cannon. He was kind, and gentle. In fact, he was the one that drove Cannon away. He care for both of us…"

She allowed a single tear to escape, feeling it slide slowly down her cheek. Her grip faltered, and her voice quavered.

"... He… wasn't perfect, just like anyone. But… the war came, and he was overwhelmed. Drafted by both the Decepticons and the Autobots, he was forced to choose.."

There was silence for a minute. The answer hung in the air like a dark cloud.

"He chose the Decepticons." Optimus concluded quietly. Vibes didn't reply.

"I am sorry, Vibes." He said. "I know what it is like to lose a friend to the darkness."

Vibes closed her eyes again, letting the tears drain away.

"I just want my sister to be happy." She said quietly. "..And I can see that you make her happy. I can also see that she makes you happy. Forgive me if I'm being blunt, but it seems that a little joy might do the both of you a lot of good."

She turned to face him,

"Especially now."

Optimus didn't know whether she meant now, that their brother had been corrupted, or now, that it was a festive season. Maybe now that the war had continued on for so long, that love had become scarce among their race. Perhaps it was all three.

Vibes glanced sideways, smiling a little as her twin's anxious voice broke the silence,

"Vibes! I can't find the polish, and I need it before-"

As she hurried into the room, Melody came to an abrupt halt, freezing. Vibes' grin spread as she detected a rush of heat to her twin's face.

"Merry Christmas, you two." She giggled, stepping out into the hall. Her heart swelled with mixed feelings, but warm amusement surpassed them all. Her sister was in love. That, she was sure of. And though she wouldn't admit outright that the Prime made her happy, Vibes knew. And she, also, was happy.

Optimus watched her go, a new feeling taking a place in his own heart. There was a deep bond between these two sisters, and his love for one made him fond of both. In that moment, he made a promise to himself, that as long as he lived, he would protect them. As long as he loved Melody, there would be love for Vibes, as well.

xxx

Melody twisted her hands nervously as they stood in mindful silence, watching the sun set over the frosty horizon. The snow around their feet glittered with orange and violet, sending reflections over their armor. Optimus was thinking, and she waited for him to speak.

Meanwhile, the only thing on the Prime's mind was the femme beside him. What was she thinking about? Was what Vibes had said really true? Had he, of all mechs, fallen in love for the first time in what felt like eons? He couldn't be sure, since years of war had distorted his view. This feeling he felt was foreign now. He would need an advisor in this matter. Vibes seemed to know what was going on…

He looked up. Something green fluttered in the crisp Winter draft. A tangle of small, round leaves hung from the stone outcropping above them.

"What is that?" He asked. Melody jumped at the chance to break the silence;

"Oh! It's something Vibes learned about. It's called 'mistletoe'. Vi took the whole afternoon looking for it. She explained why, but I don't really remember what's so important about it. Something that the humans do with it, I think…"

"There's a note." Optimus observed, plucking out a flat sheet. There was something written on it in chalky black letters. Optimus read, seeming confused.

"May I see?" She asked. He handed it to her.

Live it up, lovebirds! -Vi

Melody flushed as she remembered what Vibes had told her about mistletoe.

"Oh…"

"Do you know what it means?" He asked.

"It's just a human thing." She insisted. "Vibes reads too much romance, that's all. I don't even remember why it's a tradition…"

Optimus smiled slightly, amused. He knew plenty about human culture.

"Then perhaps it would be appropriate to refresh your memory." He said.