Narrative POV;
The wooden coffin sink lower and lower into the ground, like the stake stabbing deeper and deeper into Carly's heart.
She stood, while Cliff had his arms wrapped around her, to support her from falling. It was only the three of them, and the man lowering the coffin. Lyra stood beside them, holding Carly's hand.
She was mentally exhausted, but didn't dare show it. She simply patted Carly's shoulder encouragingly.
As soon as they piled the dirt on top, the headed home, taking Lyra's car, with Cliff following close behind.
Lyra felt exhausted after her face off with the Prime. She knew why he wanted to say good-bye. But she wanted him to realize that the only way to protect Carly, would be to keep her under constant care, in the base, with her family. Transfer her to a new school, where no one will pick on her. To let her have a happily ever after with Cliff.
More than anything, Lyra wanted to make Carly smile, to make her laugh, she didn't deserve this. She deserved so much better than this.
At the base;
"Did you get to say good-bye?" Rachet said, turning away from the non-cooperative human technology.
The Prime simply shook his head. Not allowing himself the luxury of tears.
"Why didn't you tell Lyra the other reason?" Rachet asked. She would have understood." Rachet said, trying again.
"It would have been no use." Optimus said, regarding his old friend. "She would have insisted we didn't do everything short of putting Carly in danger."
"But you're bond was staring to kill her, to drain her of her energy. If you did not leave when you did, it would have activated her Autobot state, or killed her."
"I appreciate your concern, and encouragement, but may we leave find a new topic of conversation?"
The Prime's Spark had taken enough punishment just separating from his sparklying, he wished to not further the pain by thinking about it. It was hard enough having all the family albums and photos constantly running through his mind.
He turned away from his comrade, and closed his optics.
'Forgive me, Carly.' He though as he deleted all the images, he did not plan to ever see his Sparklying again. No matter how much it hurt either of them.
He felt their bond diminish, but not enough to keep him from feeling her pain. Her utter misery. Soon though, he would hardly notice the bond, and then it would disappear altogether.
At Carly's;
The other night Lyra had made a chocolate cake for after the wake, just for Carly. Lyra stood leaning in the doorway, watching Carly and Cliff work together. Cliff cut the cake, and Carly got the ice cream from the freezer.
It made Lyra feel a little better knowing Carly would be okay, she would be safe. As long as Cliffjumper, and herself were looking after the organic, she would never be put in danger, or put through pain ever again.
"What other stories did your dad tell you?" Cliff asked. He was good at three things, talking, listening, and fighting. He had a good Spark. Lyra knew it. Even though Lyra would never grow tired of teasing them, she would always approve of them. Carly would never find anyone more perfect for her. Someone she does deserve, and Cliff would never find anyone better. They really found each other.
"He told me happy stories, but mostly, he told me these with morals, even if they weren't happy. He would tell me about this monster call Megatronis. Who sought to destroy all things good." She paused, laughing. "From what he's told me, I'm glad that they were nothing more than stories."
Lyra was suddenly overcome with the desire to throw up. She took in a sharp breath, quickly escaping to the bathroom.
'What were you thinking Prime!' she though, cursing the Prime. She didn't want to hear anything else that he taught his daughter. 'I thought you wanted to keep her safe! Why in the name of Primus would you tell her about that?!'
Quietly, she walked into the bathroom, locked the door, and held a towel over her face to muffle the sound of her tears. The whole situation was crashing like a plan wreck around her. It was hard to see her friend in so much pain, but it was worse to know that is the Con's ever heard about these 'stories' that Carly would be in serious danger.
What Lyra wanted more than anything, was for things to go back to before, when she and Carly were little. To the time before her parents were killed. Killed by bloody Cons. To be for Lyra became a pretender.
What killed Lyra the most was the she was supposed to be the strong one. The one Carly could lean on when she need to. But she was weak. Or at least she felt weak. Powerless to the course life was on.
Carly's POV;
"Wow, your dad told you some pretty interesting stories." Cliff mused, handing me a big slice of cake with lots of ice cream. "Did he say who told him those stories?"
"He said that those stories have been passed down from generation, to generation. That when the time came, I would be the one to tell my children." I paused. "To tell you the truth, I was hoping he would stick around so that he could tell my kids, instead of having to tell them myself."
"I'm sure you'll do a great job telling your kids the stories." Cliff smiled, taking a bite of the chocolate cake.
"I wish I was a stronger person." I mumbled suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Cliff asked.
"I wish I was strong, like Lyra. She was able to keep it together during her parent's funeral. Parents, plural, she had to bury both her parents."
"Some say a strong person isn't afraid to show their emotions. To let it out, and not care who sees."
"Who says that?" I asked, looked at him skeptically.
"I do."
"Sure you do."
"What, you don't believe me?" he said, acting hurt.
"You're probably just saying that, so that I feel better."
He gently lifted my chin so I would meet his gaze. It was serious, yet gentle.
"In my experience, the hardest thing I've ever had to do, is just let it out, to let it go. For you to be able to do that…" he trailed off. "I know many people who have trouble with that. I guess I'm saying it's a relief to see someone like you, to experience loss, but still be willing to feel, to laugh. It's one of the things I love about you."
I felt my cheeks heat. 'Love, did he just say love?' Even though I've only known him for a week or so, I knew he meant it. I didn't know if it meant he loved me, or if he was on his way. Whichever it was, I felt it took.
With the new butterflies in my tummy, eating became impossible, thankfully that was when Lyra entered the room.
"Hey! Let me slice you a piece of cake!" Cliff said getting up.
"Don't bother, she can have mine!" I said quickly sliding it in front of her.
"What did you do to it?" she asked, eye the food suspiciously.
"Nothing, I'm just not hungry."
While she gave me another unconvinced look, she took a bite of the cake. Satisfied, she relaxed into the chair.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot to tell you." She said, pausing only to swallow. "I went for an interview at your school, and I am a TA for your gym class. I'm also going to coach soccer, which you are going to join this year."
I stared at her with my mouth hanging open for a few moments, waiting for her to take notice.
"What?" she asked.
"Why do you want to work at my school, I thought you hated school."
"Yes, but I never hated gym."
"Why?" I asked, pressing the question.
"Let's just say I want to be able to keep a closer eye on you."
"I'm never going to live down being locked in a locker."
"No you aren't."
"Wait, you WHAT!?" Cliff snapped, "Who locked you in a locker! I am going to kick his aft- I mean ass! Who?! I'll find him right now! That punk will be sorry he ever-"
"Easy!" I snapped.
"Yeah, I already beat up the little punks." Lyra gloated.
"And you didn't call me."
"Nope." She smirked.
"Maybe I should ask for a job at the school too."
"Wait-no! No overprotective friend working at my school is enough! I'm fine! I can take care of myself. Please, its sweet, but I'll be fine."
"Says the girl who was locked in a locker." Lyra coughed.
"Real mature." I sighed, and Lyra grinned, giving Cliff a high-five.
Bee4ever: :D Yay! That must mean I'm doing something right for the story then! Lolz! Yeah, a lot of good points for both sides. I guess, you'll just have to wait and see what happens. ;)
The Done: Then you guessed right! :) I'm sure Lyra would have been really happy if you did. :P She would have joined right in. I promise it'll be one of those guys! :) I don't know, that is a good question!
I hope you guys liked this chapter! I figured I was painting Optimus as the villain, and I wanted to show what it was like for him too!
So keep reading and reviewing! :D
~Haiden.