Kayla laid in her bed, sleeping soundly. Optimus was standing in the room with his arms crossed. He had scented Shockwave coming and he wanted to be the one to greet the invader.

"I see you have gotten extremely comfortable with my daughter," he said lowly when he heard a soft thump on the carpet. He didn't need to look to know that Shockwave was glaring at him.

"I have come with a gift."

Optimus held out his hand and his fingers curled around a flower. He held it to his nose and inhaled deeply. It was a Cybertronian lily, which was a popular flower for mechs to give femmes to show affection, respect...and love. He dropped the flower onto the nightstand. "You have come to the wrong place in your quest for love and companionship."

"Despite what you think, I do not plan to snatch her away from you."

Optimus had to look at him now. He could usually tell if someone was lying to him just by looking at them, and he was surprised to see full honesty. He nodded for the warrior, his oldest friend, to continue.

"I want to defect. For her." He looked him in the optic with his own red one.

"Do you know how old she is? She is sixteen."

"On Cybertron, mates were planned when the sparklings were born."

Optimus let the man come closer. "Does Megatron know that you are defecting?"

"He does, and he is too weak to stop me." Shockwave hesitated for a moment, and Optimus knew that he had something to say.

"What is it, my old friend?"

"I had assumed Kayla was already taken. Is she not with Ironhide?"

Optimus stared at him in surprise. "Why would you assume that? Ironhide and Kayla are close, but they are not bonded. I would probably not allow such a bond, since he is almost my brother."

Shockwave gave a small nod.

"And since you defected, I will give you an apartment close to mine so that I may monitor you, and you will stay there until Kayla agrees with your prompt to bond with her. You realize that my mate will not appreciate this bonding?"

"I do not see how he could possibly have the time to care, seeing as you and he are currently trying to-"

Optimus raised a hand to hush him. "I have told no one yet."

Shockwave nodded and he held his tongue. Then he looked down at Kayla. "I will go to the apartment as directed."

"Good." Prime led him out of the room and down the hall. He peeked in on his mate, who was sleeping on his belly. He was terribly exhausted and he bit his lip. He should not have been so demanding. He shut the door, looked at Shockwave, and then he opened the door to Shockwave's new apartment. "Your neighbors are Ironhide, who forgets how to dress most days, Blaster and his mate, who enjoy loud music, and Ratchet and myself."

Shockwave looked in, blinked at Optimus, and then looked in again. He could hardly conceal his shock.

"Have you never had an apartment to yourself before?" Optimus was joking as he led him in.

But Shockwave was serious as he spoke. "No. I've always had to take Megatron into my room. I usually recharged on the fire escape or on the roof. There was simply not enough room for us all."

Optimus sighed as he turned on the bedroom lights for Shockwave. "I wish more of you would defect so that I could assure your safety and care."

"Most of them are too proud."

"So are we, but we have an ounce of humility." Optimus looked back at him. "Which brings me to a warning. I allow my team to wear what they want, and that sometimes includes kitten-boxers and, most days, nothing. It helps Kayla, and us, adjust to Cybertron's former customs of humility and openness."

Shockwave nodded, but he made no comment.

"So if you came here to see Kayla with few things on, you're outta luck, kid." Ironhide was leaning in the doorway as he laughed. "She's as shy as most humans."

Optimus gave his brother a firm look. "You will treat Shockwave as a family member."

Ironhide cracked his knuckles, playing with the 'con, who remained emotionless. "No problem. See you for morning rations, Shockers!"

Optimus left Shockwave to recharge peacefully, then he walked silently into his apartment. Ratchet was curled into a ball. "Ratchet?"
"It won't happen, Optimus...I-I can't do it. It's not going to work. It's not going to happen."

Optimus curled around his grieving mate and he soothed his cries. "Shh, Ratchet...shh..."