AC: ALL OF YOU READERS ARE AMAZING. This has been favorited, reviewed, added to alerts and c2'ed, and according to TheWatcher4 on this site, who recommended this fic in a post on the LiveJournal community tf2007fun, and this fic made it on the recommended list on The Cybertronian. I'm so flattered and excited that everyone is enjoying this fanfiction. THANK YOU ALL. I do have a LiveJournal account as well, so if anyone would like to speak to me through there, my LJ name is 0rei (underscore) oh (underscore) ray. Just take away the spaces and add the underscores, and the first character is a zero, not an o.
Dedication- TheWatcher4, for spreading news of more OP/Sam love. I am not worthy! X'D
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers… if I did, I'd have all the vehicles that the Autobots transform in and ride those sweet things everywhere. I also do not own any of the lyrics used, they belong to their respective bands and record labels.
Note: Nothing like the Transformers' soundtracks to inspire you, along with all these alerts. Ahaha.
Things to watch out for: Sam and Leo's deepening friendship, SPOILERS, Bumblebee just being awesome, random Axis Powers Hetalia reference, Sam and Mikaela having difficulties with their relationship, and more Optimus. And no, not all of these chapters will be focused on a holiday, though they may mention it.
His Gaze Denotes Love
Chapter Two: October
"Speech"
'Thought'
In Sam's Dorm Room, in the month of October-
Normal POV
"Oi Sam, catch!" Sam had barely any time to turn before a box went sailing in his direction. Only by sheer luck he'd managed to catch it, but fell on his backside on the floor. Cringing, he glared up at Leo, conveying without words his distaste. "Sorry man." He helped Sam up, his bronzed hand grabbing Sam's scarred hand, and examined it briefly. A jagged raised, pink line ran across the palm of his hand before stopping on the top right side. "That's a real nasty scar, bro."
Sam shrugged. He didn't really care, seeing as he'd just taken it as a part of his journey to bring Optimus back. "I might be scarred, but at least I didn't taze myself in the nuts."
Leo looked offended. "I tripped. There's no way in hell that a dude would taze himself in the cojones on purpose!"
Sam snickered. "I bet you would have done it for Alice." Despite the fact that the name he'd just said brought up some unpleasant thoughts, at least he had a proper comeback.
"Are you serious? I'm still having nightmares about that! And to think I almost had sex with her in my dream!" Leo shuddered. "You're lucky you already have a chica to hold close, my man. Every time I look at a woman I think to myself, 'hmmm, is she a psycho robot too?'"
Sam sighed. "Sometimes I wonder… if she still wants to be close," he murmured quietly, thinking about Leo's comment on 'his chica to hold close.'
Leo looked up from his laptop, where he was working on his website. "Something wrong?" He hadn't heard exactly what Sam said, but the troubled expression on his face showed the nineteen-year-old was thinking of something.
"Oh no, it's nothing. Just thinking about how my mother is going to completely embarrass me," Sam set down the box, which had some extension cords and other random electronic equipment in it, on the floor, and sank into another chair a few feet away from Leo.
"Oh yeah that's right, your mom's making you stay over there for Halloween." It was Thursday afternoon, and Halloween was on Saturday. Luckily, neither of them had classes on Friday, due to cancellations.
Sam nodded. "It was either that or she and my dad came here, and after what happened on my first day here…" Sam did not want to see a repeat of his mother's crazy behavior- granted, she had been naïve enough to think the stuff she got from that bake sale was harmless, but still. She had gone around telling girls about aspects of his private life that should stay private. "…I don't want her to do that again, so I'm just going there. She's making me help with setting up her Halloween party on Saturday night."
"Mmm. Are the Autobots going to be there?" Leo asked with a grin.
Sam shrugged. "I'm… not sure. They might be. I know Bumblebee will be for sure (he is my car you know), Ironhide, Ratchet, and the others will probably be at the base... and I don't know about Optimus." He looked a little uncomfortable at that.
Leo yawned and sat down in his own chair across the room. "You sound kind of disappointed man. Maybe you should invite them, so you don't get bored…" then he leaned forward, with a mischievous look in his eyes and said, "or are you trying to say you didn't invite them so that you could sneak away and go sleep with your girlfriend?"
Sam looked at him in shock. "What?! What are you talking about? That isn't it, not at all!"
His only reply was of Leo's thick eyebrows rising up higher on his brow. "Uh-huh. And I was born yesterday. But if that's what you want to believe, then go ahead. Or is there something you aren't telling me? Come on Sam, we're friends. What's on your mind?"
"I'm… I'm not sure. I guess I'm just tired, I didn't sleep too well last night." Sam turned away, trying to hide his confused state of being.
Even though Leo knew he was lying, he decided to give Sam a break and let it go, just this once. "All right my friend, but if you ever want to talk, just let me know." He patted his friend on the back. "No matter what it is, don't let it eat you up inside. It can do all sorts of things to you… so talk to me when you're ready." He got up and stretched, showing off some muscle in his arms as he did so. "And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some food. You want anything?"
Sam shrugged, shoulders rising and falling shortly. "Thank you Leo, but I'm not hungry."
Leo strode towards the door and without bothering to turn back, he announced loudly, "I'll be sure to get you something. See you later." He then left via the main door.
Sam smiled despite the fact that Leo had ignored what he just said; Leo could be a really nice guy when he wanted to be. He then began to pack up his laptop and other necessities he'd need for going back home. In the morning, Bumblebee would be there to bring him back to his parents' house, which he would arrive at by around one in the afternoon. From there, he'd probably be conned into doing more than his fair share of work in preparation for the party the next day. If he had time, hopefully he could contact the Autobots. They were probably at the NEST base in Diego Garcia, which wouldn't give him enough time to see them before he'd have to leave Sunday night. In that respect, he was sad that he wouldn't get to see them and Optimus as well.
He leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back. His eyes closed, and his arms lay idle upon his bent knees. Optimus… had been around a lot more since that doctor appointment in September. He'd come to his follow-up appointment in place of his parents (how that happened, he had no idea) where he'd finally shed his cast. He had seen the Prime's expression change from interested to something akin to happiness, and he had smiled when Sam, joyful that he could move freely, did a little dance outside the clinic. That smile had warmed his heart (not to mention it was handsome, though he didn't want to admit that just yet).
He had taken him back to his dorm, where Leo had exclaimed that Sam's healed ankle was a cause for celebration, and somehow Optimus agreed to take them both out for a while on the town (though not for too long, as they both had class the next day). They had hit a pizzeria first because of Sam and Leo's grumbling stomachs, and then stopped by a few random shops. It had been a fun night, and Optimus seemed to loosen up in Sam's presence, though his leader-like disposition was still strongly present.
About two weeks later, Optimus called him about important news- apparently another Autobot showed up earlier that week, and their name was Prowl. He had come looking for Jazz, who despite Ratchet's time-consuming research, was still offline. Prowl was upset beyond reason, and Optimus had called Sam seeking advice on how to console his friend, since even his soothing voice had not helped (and Ratchet just threatened to throw a wrench at Prowl because he was sick of him skulking around the med bay). Of course, Sam knew much about grief, having felt some of the worst kind after Optimus had died- the feelings of guilt, as he had blamed himself for Optimus's death. Sometimes, he still did.
He could never forget how Optimus (along with Bumblebee) bravely saved him from the Doctor's sharp saw and Megatron's leery gaze. Bumblebee took Mikaela and Leo away to safety, though knowing Bee it probably upset him because he was too far away for him to reach, so Optimus took him away. The Autobot drove him away at a frantic place, toward the forest where the potential loss of life was smaller.
He couldn't forget the fierce attacks of the Prime, when he'd destroyed one Decepticon and gone after yet another, powerful blows punishing all who dared to chase him. When he heard Optimus yell 'I'll take you all on,' his heart leaped into his throat as he watched, only pausing to run here and there when Starscream and others pursued him. He had fought so hard for him…
And he would never, ever forget when he saw Optimus's bright blue optics widen in shocked surprise when Megatron stabbed right through him, and his spark chamber exploded outward. He fell to the ground, and metal joints clanged when they hit the earth. He hoped with all his heart that Optimus would get up, but his blue optics locked on Sam's own eyes, and he knew that the mighty Prime could not continue on.
"'Sam… run… run…'" those were the words that haunted his nightmares, as he saw the energon that powered his friend drain through his chest, and the light in Optimus's optics faded out into an empty gray.
That was the worst day of his life. The only other day he'd been so upset was when two years previous, when Simmons was being an arrogant bastard and ordered sector seven men to take Bumblebee down, using varying means of force that was not only unnecessary, but painful for the Autobot. He had been so furious.
The only difference between that day and when Optimus had died was the underlying cause. Himself.
He didn't know when he fell asleep or even moved himself to his bed, but all he knew the next morning that he was sprawled across his bed. Pushing himself with his hands, he sleepily looked over to where Leo was snoring in his own bed, then the sticky note that was stuck to Sam's alarm clock. It read,
Sam,
I guess you were more tired then you let on because you were already asleep by the time I got back. Were you taking a stroll down memory lane? If so, it didn't look like it was the right side of the road- you were crying in your sleep man. I put you in your bed but dang, your muscles must weigh a ton or something because I almost dropped you. Your food is in the refrigerator. Wake me up before you leave.
Leo.
Sam smiled ruefully. He really did make a good friend, even if he was a bit of a crybaby ("PLEASE GOD DON'T LET ME DIE") when it came to danger. He went over to the small refrigerator and opened up the carton within that had his name drawn over the picture of the happy Italian man who owned the Italian restaurant called 'Feliciano's Italian Delights.' Of course, when he opened it up, he found pasta. 'This'll make an interesting breakfast,' he thought. He heated up his pasta and ate it before getting on with his daily rituals, such as showering, dressing, and brushing his teeth. While he had been getting dressed, his phone vibrated- a new text had come up.
He found it when he came back, and noticed it was from his very own guardian himself, Bumblebee. It read, "I'm here, waiting in the parking lot."
He smiled and replied, "Okay, will be there soon." Just as he pressed send, a loud yawn echoed from over in Leo's direction. His friend was waking up, black hair tousled and brown eyes fluttering open. His eyes focused on Sam, who was now picking up his things to bring out to the waiting Bumblebee.
"Looks like I woke up in time," Leo commented and sat up, and then stood up. He clasped hands with Sam, and then put their arms around each other in a brief hug. "I'll see you Sunday night, have fun."
Sam's mouth twisted into a grin. "I'll see you then… and thanks for the pasta." He then left, turning through the halls of the dorm then outwards across the campus grounds and to the parking lot, where he saw Bumblebee parked. He smiled and ran towards his car, which as he got inside, turned on and revved happily.
"Hey hey you you/I like where we are, when we drive in my car, I like where we are, here/I'm so excited/how about you?"
Sam had to laugh; Bumblebee always knew how to lift a mood, especially with his use of the radio. Bumblebee could use his voice now, but at times, such in the car, he liked using the radio to speak. "I missed you Bee. Are you ready to go home?" He began to pat the soft leather seats, knowing that Bee enjoyed his touch (no Bee/Sam implied here, but more like you scratch a dog or a cat behind the ears and they happen to like it).
A happy purr was his answer, clearly he had missed Sam. As they pulled out of the parking lot and made their way back on the hours-long drive back home, Sam inwardly marveled at Bumblebee's ability to feel even the smallest touches, wondering if you had to have highly sensitive 'sensory nodes' in order to feel it. 'I guess I'll just ask Ratchet when I see him next,' Sam thought.
Later, this thought would prove to create some major entertainment.
Bumblebee played some sweet tunes while they were in the car, of varying types of music, whether it was from movie soundtracks, rock, pop, country, or even a random theme song (Bumblebee thought the first Pokémon theme song was fun to play obnoxiously loud). But eventually, they made it, and immediately after bringing his things to the door, his mother came running out to hug him, tearfully exclaiming that "my boy is home!" His father clapped him on the back and gave him a hug.
After putting his small amount of things away, Sam stretched and yawned tiredly. The long car ride had made him slightly sleepy, but he didn't want to go to sleep just yet. So he went downstairs, and began the long and somewhat tedious task of helping his mother and father set up for the next day's party. He hung large plastic, hairy spiders from the ceiling, stretched large wads of cotton across doorways, swathed tables with black tablecloths, placed candles and tea lights on top of them, and put all sorts of "scary" decorations around the house.
It was about two hours later when they were finally done, and Sam, now somewhat exhausted, had finished up the outside decorations. Bumblebee was in the garage, and Sam walked over to him and collapsed beside him. Bumblebee transformed and picked him up and held him close to him, and Sam hugged him. Sam began to relax, as the sound of Bumblebee's internal systems working together to make a symphony of its own kind had always made him feel peaceful. His chassis was also somewhat warm, which made Sam content.
After a few long minutes, Bumblebee put Sam down. "What is the matter, Sam?" He asked in his normal voice.
Sam sighed; the calm he'd gained had started to ebb away. "I… I don't know. Am I going to see any of the Autobots today?"
"I do not know Sam-" upon seeing Sam's crestfallen look, he crooned in through his radio, "now baby, don't be sad. I'm sure at least one of them will come to see you. I shall be here, and I believe Mikaela will be stopping by at the party tomorrow," he added, which to his surprise, only brought about a shadow of horror passing over Sam's face.
He put his face into his palms and cursed heavily. He… had missed their last two web chat dates and hadn't really done enough to apologize for them, or even given a good excuse. He usually had them planned on Friday nights or sometimes on the weekends, and he normally finished most of his homework by the time they came around. Mikaela knew that Sam had lost any desire to go to fraternity parties after his disastrous first party, and the negative emotions that arose whenever he thought about "Alice" and her diesel-tinged metal tongue, so that took those out of the equation. Sam usually only went out when he needed to purchase something such as food or items for his classes, studied outdoors (rarely), and when Leo would drag him with to a club, even though Sam had no desire to be out in the public eye. The conclusion he feared she'd come to was that he was out with another woman, which certainly wasn't true. But it didn't change the fact that he'd probably have a fuming girlfriend when she arrived at the party tomorrow.
"Did something happen between you and Mikaela, Sam?" Bumblebee asked, concerned for his charge.
Sam just sighed, resting his chin upon his arms, which were lying atop his bent knees. "It's not what has happened; it's what might come to pass."
Bumblebee cocked his head to one side as he pondered what Sam might be implying; that his relationship might end, however, he was certain that by Sam's body language that he didn't want to talk about it. Human relationships were different than those of Cybertronians in some regard, but similar in other ways. "I understand." He placed his large servo, or hand, around Sam, and Sam slid an arm around his fingers. "If you need to talk, I'm always here for you, Sam."
Sam tightened his grip on Bumblebee. "I know. Thank you, Bee."
The affectionate Autobot made a cheerful clicking noise in response, and then asked, "You know what song I'm thinking of?"
Sam looked up at Bumblebee's bright cerulean optics, which were full of mischievous intent. "No, not really. I have no idea what goes on in that head of yours half the time. Tell me."
Bumblebee did the best he could with his mouth-plates in order to form a smile before he began to play some horrifically familiar lyrics: "never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never going to run around and desert you~"
Sam groaned and covered his ears in mild embarrassment. "Bee, stop that!"
"Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye!" Bumblebee looked like he was resisting the urge to get up and dance, none the less he was swaying from side to side to the rhythm while his servo was still around Sam, and Sam could barely ignore the flush that danced across his cheeks as he began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you!" Bumblebee just had to let go and jump up about a foot, his head centimeters from hitting the ceiling, shaking his aft while he was at it made for a very amusing picture.
It was too much for Sam and he snorted in a very ungentlemanly manner and begged, "Okay, that's enough. I believe you." He wiped away a tear from the corner of his eye. "Never, ever, sing and dance along to Rick Astley in front of me unless you want me to pass out from laughing. Thank you Bee, for making me feel better." He smiled at Bumblebee gratefully.
Bumblebee chirped happily, and played a segment from a song from one of the copious amounts of radio stations broadcasting in his area. "Because when I arrive I-I'll bring the fire, make you come alive, I can take you higher~"
"I get it, thanks." Sam got up and stretched, feeling much better and somewhat revived. The sun was going down, and Sam could hear his mother yelling that it was time for dinner. "I guess I should go eat now, but I'll be back later, all right Bee?"
Bumblebee nodded and transformed back into his alt form, to which Sam patted fondly in passing before going out of the garage and into the house. As soon as Bumblebee heard Sam's yell of surprise, he knew he had accomplished his job in cheering up his charge and distracting him long enough for Sam's surprise visitor to make it into the house without Sam hearing about it. Bumblebee began to listen eagerly to the squeaking sound of Sam as he tried to comprehend who he was seeing.
"You didn't." Sam could only stare in pure unadulterated shock when he saw none other than the holographic form of Optimus (freaking, he added in his head) Prime sitting across the kitchen table from his mother and father, who didn't seem to have a problem with him being there. Indeed, his father was already eating and taking a sip of his wine while his mother looked up at him from being in conversation with Optimus and smiled at Sam.
Noticing the change in attention, the black-haired realistic beyond measure hologram turned and looked at Sam. "Hello, Samuel."
Judy Witwicky got up and ushered him to a seat next to the Autobot leader, and then filled up Sam's plate with some meat, vegetables, and fruit dish and pushed it in front of him. "Here you are, and don't be rude, say hello!"
Sam's eye twitched. Didn't she have any idea who this was? "Mom, this is Optimus Prime. You know, as in the leader of the Autobots?!"
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Of course I know that. There isn't nothing wrong with having one of the saviors of the world in our house as a guest now is there?" She sat down primly in her chair, and began cutting her meat as if to say 'that's that.'
Sam just blinked. "Mom, don't you remember when the shard of the cube brought all our kitchen appliances to life and threatened to blow my- our heads off? You said, 'I have had it with these psychotic aliens in my garage!' What happened to that?!"
Ron decided to answer for Judy, who looked about ready to cuff Sam on the head. "Your friend here also happened to protect you. We know the story. He also made sure you recovered all right by taking you to the doctor when we couldn't." He pointed a fork at Sam, who was about ready to protest. "Don't act like you're not happy to see your friend, because we know you are."
"Well of course I am. I didn't mean to say I wasn't happy to see you big guy," he hastily reassured Optimus, "but seriously, who arranged this? I thought you were with the other Autobots at NEST headquarters!"
Optimus, who had nothing in front of him (he didn't need to eat, rather the only thing he could consume was energon, but he could only take that in his normal form), answered, "I was curious about this holiday, also Leo said you seemed to miss my company." By the look of that small smile tugging on his lips, he seemed to be amused, in a content way.
'I'm going to freaking kill Leo when I see him next,' Sam decided. 'I will shiv him with a sharpened toothbrush and then shank him with a five-freaking-foot-long metal pointer in the stomach and then I will ram it up his ass.' He blamed his foul mouth on the Autobot twins Skids and Mudflap, and the fact that he was beginning to grow pink in the face. "I just- well, I mean, you're Optimus Prime. You're one of the few friends I have that I know isn't insane. Not that anyone else is, well I'm pretty sure some of them have a few screws loose but you're kind of like a figurehead seeing as you're the leader of the Autobots 'n all. And I totally respect you and I… well… shit." Sam stuck a large piece of meat in his mouth and chewed, not wanting to look at the Autobot who was sitting beside him.
"Sam, don't swear at the table," Ron apparently wasn't listening except for when his son cursed, instead he was more focused on his food, though he could be seen periodically looking up and over at Optimus. Apparently he must have impressed him greatly, normally his father regarded many people with distrust, thinking 'you can never be too careful, the person you talk to could be completely innocent or a serial killer in disguise.' But obviously, after two years of interaction with Sam, Ron had seen that while his son was often in danger, he was much safer when the Autobots, and especially Optimus Prime, was around. And for Optimus (as well as Bumblebee and the others) fighting so bravely for his son, he decided that they couldn't be too bad (except for those damn Decepticons- nearly ruining their vacation in France and hurting their boy).
Judy thought her son's little confession was priceless, though not as much as… "Oh Sam, you're so precious. My little boy, who is getting so big." She sniffed. "It makes me think of how tiny you were when you were younger…"
Sam groaned after he had swallowed his chunk of meat. "Mom, please don't start that again…" He put another piece into his mouth, still not looking at Optimus.
"Just like your little baby booties. So small, so cute…" Suddenly, there seemed to be an evil look in her eyes, and she pulled out a large photo album out from underneath the table and plopped it right in front of Optimus (she was on his other side). "Get a load of this, Sam when he was little! You can see how my baby boy has grown up!"
'She can't be serious…' Sam thought with dread.
"Just look, here's him taking his first bath, and here's him when he was going off to school for the first time, and here's him running around the house naked!"
Sam began to choke on his piece of meat violently, beating at his chest in vain in hopes that it would help. He heard cries of "Sam!" coming from his parents and Optimus. Immediately Optimus stood up and got up behind him, pulling him from his chair and up by his armpits and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver, which he probably learned from the internet. Sam wasn't really aware of it as he was too busy trying to focus on bringing air into his lungs, only faintly registering the feeling of strong (almost not there) hands slamming into his body, forcing his own against a warm, taller form. There was shouting, of course, but he could not address it. His vision was melting, melting into darkness...
Finally, the stubborn piece of meat decided to exit via his mouth and went sailing across the table to land somewhere on the floor. Sam took deep breaths, and someone pushed a cup full of water into his hand. He drank long draughts of it and emptied the glass quickly. He rubbed his neck, which felt very tender on the inside.
He blinked, and soon Optimus's concerned luminous blue eyes were looking into his own. "Are you all right Sam?" He could feel the hands of the hologram on his shoulders and see the worried look on his face. His black eyebrows were drawn together and his mouth was in a tight line. This was the most emotion Sam had ever seen being expressed in Optimus's holographic form, and it made him feel scared himself. The Autobot had moved faster than anyone else in the room and in all reality, he had just saved Sam's life.
Sam could only wordlessly nod, and then he felt arms being wrapped around him by his mother and father, whose voices only seemed to mingle together into murmured noise. By the sounds of his sobbing mother, and muttered curses by his father, they both denoted relief- they could have lost their boy again.
Sam stared into Optimus's eyes, who were not far from his own (about a foot or two away). His gaze denoted something, but Sam couldn't really tell what it was. Right now, he thought that Optimus was just happy to see that he was still alive.
The arms around him slipped somewhat, but still anchored him to his parents. Sam told the Autobot softly, "thank you. You saved me again." His voice was somewhat hoarse, but not even the scratchiness in his esophagus could hide his gratitude.
Optimus seemed at loss for words this time. There were really more than just Decepticons to fear- even when an organic wasn't careful, they could die in other ways. Sam had almost choked to death and no Decepticons were involved at all. 'The world is really more than black and white, but it often takes either an unpleasant or unexpected incident to open one's own optics.' He put his hand on his chest over where his spark was- right in the middle. It had been throbbing painfully when he saw Sam in such danger and immediately downloaded the first result on how to combat choking- the Heimlich maneuver. He had been so afraid that something irreversible would occur. He was right there, and there were unknown dangers all around them. For the first time in his life since he was but a sparkling, he felt dwarfed by his surroundings.
"You're welcome… Sam. Please…" He wanted to say, 'be careful,' but something different came out of his hologram's mouth. "'Remember you are mortal.'"
Sam nodded. "I know." He remembered more than ever now, though more so by the realization setting in that he had almost died, heightened because of remembering when he had actually died before setting in. He felt sick to his stomach, and with a quick "excuse me" he ran and threw up into the kitchen sink.
It had taken nearly an hour to convince his mother that no, they did not need to take him to the hospital and a couple of alcoholic beverages before she was calm enough in order to slip into a more peaceful state of mind. Ron, who had also been very upset, managed to calm himself quicker than Judy did and put them both to bed.
As for Optimus, he had to shortly deactivate his hologram, as it took precious amounts of power to maintain for hours like he did. He had to go recharge, but Judy, in her state of inebriety, tearfully hugged him, thanked him for saving Sam, and that he was welcome any time. The motion was seconded by Ron, who shook Optimus's hand with his usual look on his face. The only sign that he was affected was the trembling of his arm and shoulders.
Sam watched them leave before turning to Optimus. He had already thanked Optimus numerous times now, and seeing the Prime standing before the door (and his true form parked down the street just about seventy or so feet away) made him want to follow Optimus down to his real form. But the only thing he could manage to say was a quiet "see you later."
Optimus watched him for a long minute, and nodded. "I will see you tomorrow, Sam. Goodnight."
Sam watched him go with a forlorn look on his face, seeing the way the moon's light reflected off both forms. The Peterbilt truck had a silvery glint, while the hologram's hair had a bluish tint to it. Once the form reached the truck, it climbed in, and sat down, and the truck drove off into the night.
Bumblebee had not been pleased to hear that Sam had nearly bit the dust last night and grabbed Sam the moment he walked into the garage the next morning. Only when he was certain that Sam was fine and healthy that he put him down (though he had half a mind to call Ratchet and tell him to inspect Sam). The Autobot vowed that he would form his own hologram and make it just as good as Optimus's (though he didn't doubt that it would take probably at least a few orns of practice before it was just as good) so that he could watch Sam more closely. He couldn't bear the thought of seeing Sam die again. Sam was touched, and reassured the Autobot that he was fine, though he had to say, "You should really let go of me before you squish my outfit." He was basically dressed like a greaser from decades past, with gelled hair slicked back, leather jacket, white tee shirt, and jeans. Bumblebee failed to see how it was a costume considering how Sam wore most of those items often, but allowed his friend to get back to helping his mother with preparing food.
Mikaela was even more displeased than Bumblebee, which was saying something, because the 'bot did not let go of Sam for a whole hour, keeping him from helping more with preparing the food for the party and pissing Judy off. She had come about right in the middle of the party, as she had said weeks prior (in the last web chat date that he was present for) that she would be late because she had to watch her man-child of a father until work was done for the day.
Sam was socializing with Miles, who he hadn't seen for months, trying to vainly explain why he hadn't stuck around for the summer with him. Miles had felt betrayed, but after a lot of explaining (lying) that he had become involved in a government project that had been stationed in Mission City, just doing ordinary work, no, of course there aren't any giant alien robots living on earth, and he had his face plastered all over the news because someone in a freaky alien mask tried to frame him. He was pretty sure Miles didn't buy half of it, but his friend chose to forgive him anyway.
It was at this time when Mikaela had come up to him and demanded to talk when he had been dragged away by his girlfriend outdoors and by a more secluded bush before she unleashed her fury, frustration, and worry for him all at once. Some of the more memorable things she said was, "how could you stand me up on our last two web chat dates?!", "in this relationship, communication is a key, and you're not talking to me enough," "you almost died again and I had to hear this from Bumblebee, instead of you?!", and "don't you realize that I am willing to do and say all of this because I love you?"
At the last line, tears began to well up at the bottom of her baby blue eyes and start running down her cheeks, dragging and smearing a black line from her mascara-coated eyelashes along the way down. She sniffed and hugged him, and Sam put his arms around her.
He sighed deeply and said, "I'm sorry, 'kaela. It's just that things happened so fast and-"
She cut him off, and took herself out of his arms. "You aren't sorry. I know one can choke without a moment's notice but I had to hear it from Bumblebee! Not you! What exactly were you doing when our web chat dates were planned? I know you weren't at a party, Leo told me so-"
Sam was taken aback. "You talked to Leo about this?!"
"Of course I did!" She demanded. "After all, he sees you more than I do. Who else am I supposed to talk to, you're hardly ever here, and when you are, all you ever do is want to see the Autobots!"
He tried to keep his cool, by thinking of something small, cute, and fluffy. 'Kitten calendars, kitten calendars-' "That isn't true. I do come home because I want to see them, but I also want to see you and believe it or not my parents aren't that eager to have me gone. But they are my friends too Mikaela and you have to respect that."
She sighed in frustration. "Of course I do, you know I do. But when was the last time we went on a date, a real, proper one where we can actually physically touch each other?"
Sam scratched the back of his neck. "A few months ago… before I went to college."
"Exactly. I don't think I matter as much to you, Sam. I'm not always there but I try to be in any form I can, and I don't think you are trying to be there for me. Sam, I love you. It took you so long to say it; you wouldn't even say it until after you died. But I don't think you love me, I think you were in love with me at one point in time… But I'm not the most important person in your life. And I really want to be."
He took a step forward, but she took a step back. "Mikaela…" His voice was full of remorse. He really did care for her; it was just that he had so many things going on that made things near impossible. "You are important." He picked her hand up and held between his own hands. "I fought for you and everything else. I never wanted you to get hurt, and I was scared that somehow one of the Decepticons would get you."
She shook her head. "You did fight for me, and that's part of why I care for you so much. But… I'm not the most important person in your life. I've taken a look and it's not oblivious to me, Sam. There's someone out there for you that you love more, and it's not just the world."
'Kitten calendar, kitten calendar…' "That's not true. I don't know about anyone that I love more than you Mikaela. Who could it honestly be?" He was so confused and his heart hurt. This was pure proof of what he suspected all along, that their relationship was crumbling.
She gave him one last look. "You'll figure it out, Sam. I just… I need to go. I'll talk to you later." She swiped at her wet eyes and turned on her heels and left, most likely to go home.
Sam nearly screamed in frustration, however the noise that did come out of his mouth somewhat resembled a strangled yell of "kitten calendar!" He'd lost it. He pushed past throngs of confused people, did not hear the yips of Mojo and Frankie, off-handedly told Miles that he had to be alone, and ignored the buzzing of his cell phone as it brimmed with phone calls from his mother, his father, Miles, and Bumblebee, who had heard his vanishing footsteps off the property. He half-jogged, half-ran down the streets, taking turns here and there, never minding the small children and adolescents in the streets who were beginning their quest for candy.
Finally, after about a half an hour of traveling, he found a large cornfield that he used to play in every Halloween back when they had a maze in it. However, the person who owned the cornfield was getting too old and lacked money to hire others to plow a maze in it, so they only thing they did with it now was tend to it. However, it was a perfect getaway for him, and he entered it from a corner, and slowly made his way in, pushing past the green and sometimes brown leaves of the corn stalks until he found his perfect spot.
It was then when he began to think, and let a few tears roll. There was no shame in crying, heck he saved the world twice, and he could cry if he wanted to.
He thought about Mikaela, and tried in vain to see just who the heck she was talking about, but could not come up with an answer. There wasn't any girl that he was interested in besides her, so what exactly did she mean? There weren't any men out there he liked. Nothing came to mind, though there was a wiggling sensation at the back of his mind, something he hadn't yet uncovered. Whatever it was, it was driving him crazy, along with other things going on with his life, and as a result, Sam was feeling quite stressed out. He just wanted to sleep and forget. Or better yet, something else could come along and distract him. Hopefully whatever it was it wouldn't have malevolent intentions.
He sat on the ground in a small pocket where a few stalks had failed to sprout and as a result, the earth was barren there. It was good for him though, and he looked up at the stars, which were twinkling in the blackening sky.
They really were beautiful, he thought. There were so many of them, with many gleaming white and some yellow, with a precious few of a different color. Knowing that somewhere out in the many galaxies that Cybertron existed, and along with it other sentient beings besides the Cybertronians existing, made him want to study astronomy. He loved to stargaze, and often wondered how many other planets existed besides the ones already discovered within their galaxy. He had so many questions, and the Autobots held a lot of the answers. He had asked some already, but he always wanted to know more.
It was then when he was interrupted in his musing by the sound of heavy footsteps coming towards him. Sam got up hurriedly, hands drawn into fists, and trying to decide between his 'fight or flight' instincts. He was always good at running; his fast legs had enabled him to flee the Decepticons numerous times after all. He wasn't very good at fighting, and he had decided that self-defense lessons should be the first thing on his wish list. Honestly, he was tired of getting the shit kicked out of him. He had been picked on back in school by Trent and a few of his cronies back in high school, and while he was sure that he couldn't really do any damage against any vengeful Decepticons, he could always try.
"Sam?" He heard a voice, a deep one that always held his attention no matter what. "Sam, are you there?"
"I'm here, Optimus…" He didn't yell, but said it within a raised voice. He hadn't really been ready to be taken back yet, rather he wanted to be alone for a little while longer, but he didn't mind having Optimus around.
A minute later Optimus's holographic form became visible, and went over to Sam. He was actually wearing a Halloween costume, which made Sam gawk. He looked like Clark Kent, from the classy outfit to the glasses. The only difference was that Optimus did not get rid of his long black hair, but had it put back in a pony tail to look shorter from the front. 'It figures he'd choose a hero.'
He asked, "Why did you leave? Everyone was worried about you." His blue eyes, while they looked human here, glowed just like they did in his normal form. He towered over Sam's height by at least a head, perhaps a head and a half. And right now, he had a very stern look on his face.
Suddenly, Sam felt sheepish for taking off like he did. He must have been worrying everyone… he was sure a great many of his phone calls were from Bumblebee, and the rest from his parents and maybe Miles. He looked at the ground in shame. "I got into a fight with Mikaela and I didn't want to stick around."
Optimus was silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "Do you wish to talk about it?"
Sam gaped at him in amazement. "You're not mad at me for running off like that?"
The Prime just sighed deeply, a very human-like motion. "I will not deny that I was upset, Sam. I was afraid that while you were alone, something might have happened to you while none of us were around to protect you. Right now, I am just content to see that you are unharmed."
Sam put his hands into his pockets. "I… I'm sorry Optimus, I really am- I never meant to worry anyone. …But I don't really feel like discussing it much. It's just that Mikaela and I are going through a… a milestone, or something. I'm not sure." He clenched his hands. "I tried to talk to her, to reason with her, but she… she seems set in her way. Like she's sure she's right."
"Sure she's right about what?" Optimus asked gently.
Sam leaned back against a stalk lightly, looking down at his feet. "Like she's sure that I love someone else. I know I don't, honestly. No one else comes to mind. There isn't anyone that I care for like that… besides her."
If Optimus was surprised, he did not show it. "I'm sure it will come to you some time, Sam." He offered.
"I guess so. It's my fate, isn't it?" He tried not to sound like he was mocking the Autobot leader, because he knew that he'd been right about his fate before. "I guess we might not really be meant to be together forever. It's just, that's what I thought it would be. But things change." He licked his bottom lip, it was dry. "People change. I just never thought it would come to this. She might really break up with me."
"I am sorry, Sam. I am not really sure how to comfort you, but just give it time." Optimus put his hand on Sam's shoulder.
Sam felt lighter already. Having someone there to listen to him really helped, and Optimus was the most patient being he'd met. "It's all right Optimus, you already did. I kind of feel better already. Thanks big guy." Sam leaned forward and gave Optimus a brief hug, then pulled back quickly, for reasons unknown to him feeling red in the face.
Optimus had never received a hug from Sam before, and found his holographic form to almost freeze completely and flicker for an astrosecond before becoming fully visible. It was… a nice feeling- an open sign of affection. He felt his spark within his chest burn a little brighter than before. "…You're welcome, Sam," he finally said after a pregnant silence.
Sam still had a flushed face. "So… um… should we get back to that party?" Shifting nervously from foot to foot, he waited for a reply.
"The others will be most relieved to see you. Let us be on our way then." Feeling like it was the right thing to do, Optimus offered Sam his hand.
Sam stared at it for a few seconds before he decided that no, it wasn't a totally girly thing to hold another being's hand, even if they were male (or at least sounded and looked male). "Alrighty then. That party had better be ready for my arrival!"
And he took his hand. A tiny spark of static electricity jumped between their joined hands. They both felt it, especially Sam- but he did not pull away. The spark had not hurt him, but rather it brought a pleasant feeling.
Little did Sam know that in Cybertronian terms, sparks only jump between the hands of those who were destined to be together. To Optimus Prime, it was the beginning of his realization that there were some aspects he hadn't yet pondered.
Was he destined to fall for a human?
This would plague him for months to come.
End of chapter two.
AC: I just wanted to make a point that while there is copious amounts of Hologram!Optimus in this fic so far, there will be plenty of Optimus in his normal form as well. It is just for at this time, Sam is not in a particularly secluded place where Optimus can transform, school and his home and a corn field does not work that way. Bumblebee can transform in the garage because he manages to fit, but Optimus is much bigger, and that would not work. Sam will love all of him, and nothing less. Also, this chapter totally kicked my ass over the past three days. It just kept running and running and running… By the way, don't you just love Bumblebee? I DO. No, I do not hate Mikaela. I don't like her character that much (especially with her pushing Sam to say 'I love you' to her in ROTF), but I don't want to demonize her. She will still remain an important part of Sam's life. Miles will also show up periodically.
Songs used (in order): Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, Here (In Your Arms) by Hellogoodbye, I'm So Excited by the Pointer Sisters, How About You by Stained, Date Rape by Sublime, Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne.
Please don't eat me for the rick-roll. Cojones is a term meaning balls. The 'remember you are mortal' line comes from memento mori, a Latin phrase. It seemed appropriate. I loved it so much when Sam had his spastic moment with the kitten calendars. Leo should have a calendar with my kitty on it. Not all chapters will drag this long. Anyway, please review and tell me what you think~!!
