A/N: Unhappy with the end result as it feels horribly rushed to me, but I don't have time to redo it. Enjoy this humble little story as it is.
Presents.
"And what did you get for Christmas, Mirage?" Mirage only shrugged, not even bothering to look the disabled human in the eye.
"Forgive me, Chip, but I really cannot see the point of this festival. If I want something, I will buy it myself: that way I know it is what I want."
"But didn't you ever buy gifts for anyone on Cybertron?" Chip asked. It had been a terrible question to ask: Chip had evoked long-buried memories of friends he had spent the days with and fembots that he had courted, in particular one the colour of amethysts and the purest snow, glistening like grains of crystal in sunlight. He had spent hundreds of thousands of credits upon them all, and especially her, only wishing for their happiness. And yet, physical possessions had never brought them true happiness, just like it had never done for him. He looked to the ceiling, again refusing to look the human in the eye. He did not reply until he was sure his voice would remain steady.
"No," he said at last. "No, I never really bought gifts for anyone; I paid for theatre tickets and for concerts, etcetera, but I never bought anyone a proper gift." Knowing how long Mirage had lived for, Chip could not quite believe his words, even if he was an alien with differing customs.
"Well, now is your chance to start! This is the season of generosity and altruistic ambitions, after all." Mirage looked the human in the optics, wearing an expression that looked quizzically unimpressed.
"But in the end, don't we only make others happy to make ourselves happy? In the end, isn't all of it selfishness?"
"Heh, well, I'm sure everything could be twisted to be considered selfish means in the end, yet does it really mean we shouldn't strive to make each other happy? Come on then Mirage – I'm taking you somewhere special." The human turned himself around and wheeled his way towards the Ark exterior. Although the spy did not feel like going on an excursion, the human had caught his interest.
When Mirage made his way outside, he noticed Optimus Prime waiting there in his alt-mode. Chip was already inside his cab.
"So you're coming with us then, Mirage?" Prime asked, doubt staining his words.
"Yes," Mirage answered, just as unsure. Just where was this human leading him?
"And you're also paying for half of these gifts?" At that, Mirage was stunned into silence.
"Yes," he said at last. After all, to the rich, money was only money. But neither Optimus nor Chip would tell him anything about what they were doing and where they were going. He had a decision to make: he could spend the day finding out what they were doing by going with them on this little 'quest', or he could spend it in the relative comfort and sanitation of the Ark doing whatever he pleased at whatever pace he desired. Yet, Mirage reasoned, more days like that will come.
"Well, are we all set?" Chip asked cheerily. Mirage would almost say that the boy was smiling with excitement.
"Yes," Mirage replied once more.
"Well then, let's be off!"
When they turned off the motorway, they did not go to the theatres or clubs or even the town centre, festooned with decorations and lights and their great big Christmas tree. Instead, they turned down an ordinary street, passing the ordinary houses, some of which were lit up with festive lights. This was a strange place where Mirage had never been before, made even more unrecognisable in the early evening darkness.
"Where are we going?" He asked Chip and Optimus with growing irritation.
"Shh! You'll see soon enough, Mirage!" When at last they began to slow down, Mirage pulled up behind his leader and transformed. He looked up at a three storey building of 1920s architecture. There were large windows, covered in dust and smears. Light from inside glowed brightly and warmly against the harsh brown brickwork. He noticed that the door was elevated higher than the street, and that a ramp went up to it. This small detail stood out to Mirage, as most of the other buildings of similar design had steps.
Prime's hand gently touched his shoulder and as Mirage began to turn around, small packages were placed into his arms.
"Take good care of those now," he told the Ligier, before cradling an arm full of human-sized presents himself.
"Well, we'd better go get our hosts then!" Chip pulled himself up the ramp and knocked at the door. Mirage looked up at the windows, expecting to see at least one face appear. No one looked out. The door opened, and a male human greeted them.
"Ah, hello, hello! So wonderful to have you here! Come inside, come inside – oh wait, you can't fit! I'll go and get the children!" He had already gone back inside before Optimus could even say a word. Chip smiled back at both of them with an unusual sort of joy that Mirage had never seen in the boy before. What was so special about this place? It had become obvious that this was a charity of some sort, but what…? The door came ajar again and a young human female – no older than ten – came through the door, pushing herself along in her wheelchair. She stopped by Chip but ignored him almost completely, gaping up at the two Autobots.
"Waow," she said in awe and stretched out a hand to Optimus. Prime extended and index finger out to her and she grabbed hold. Although Mirage could not see Optimus's face beneath his battle mask, it was obvious to him that he was smiling. Just as the two let go of each other, five more children in wheelchairs came out of the house, followed by two more. Some were far livelier than others.
"Children! Come on now, children! Be careful now, you don't want to get yourselves hurt in your excitement!" The human male from before stood in the doorway, trying to watch over the energetic bunch. Chip looked up to Mirage, his face still holding the smile, but looking far more serious.
"This is a children's home for wheelchair-bound children whose parents cannot take care of them," he explained. "I try to do my bit for them, circumstances being somewhat similar," he gestured to his legs, and when he looked back into Mirage's optics, his eyes looked sad. "You can't save the whole world, can't donate to every single charity. But you know, when we all look after our little bit, everything becomes right."
"Yay! Presents! Presents!" The children screamed. Optimus bent down and began giving out the gifts. When Mirage only watched, Optimus gently elbowed him in the chassis before the Ligier did as he was shown. Mirage did not quite understand what he was supposed to be getting from this: there were many grateful children, and a few disappointed ones, but he could not find the happiness from this deed that Optimus and Chip found. He could not find the happiness, yet nor could he find any sadness either. He just felt… peace. He wanted more, he wanted to be happy, but he was unable to feel it: there were just too many memories. Too much loss. Too much pining. And so he settled for the peace, and waited for the day when he would be truly happy and giving his own gifts once more, knowing that his happiness would one day come again.
End.