A/N: Another big thank you to my beta, TFPKOFANGIRL, for her work this chapter. Which is finally the one where Dylan and Optimus meet! :)

...

CHAPTER 10
Meeting Prime and Progression

"You're making a mistake, having him stay here."

Of course, Ratchet knew why Dylan might think that way. After all, it was an interesting thought to have Optimus Prime stay in his home with Dylan in the house. Of course, it wasn't because he was ashamed of having Dylan there, but rather, it was a little risky to throw the boy right into the throng. Not because he thought Optimus would judge him, quite the opposite actually, he would be extremely soft to him and he knew it. But rather, Dylan's social anxieties may very well make this harder on the teen than it needed to be.

But by the time Dylan had come to live with him, it was far too late to change plans. And furthermore, it was too late to ask Optimus about changing them now, when he was less than an hour away. But at the moment, as Ratchet saw the worried look on the young boy's face, he wished he had changed the plans. The last thing he wanted was to bring this child any more anxieties. "It's alright, Dylan," Ratchet explained. "Optimus Prime is a good friend of mine. You have absolutely nothing to fear from him," He explained.

Dylan shifted a bit against the wall, his eyes looking to the side. He wasn't so sure how much of that was true, but he wanted to believe the stories he'd heard. He wanted to believe that Shawn and Scarlet were right and that he would be extremely friendly, and a kind house guest. But he wasn't sure what to think of it, he'd only had one experience where he'd been able to deduce his personality for himself, and who knew how correct it was.

But he didn't say anything in response to Ratchet's claim all the same. He was however thankful that, at the end of the day, Optimus was coming to meet him on a clean slate. Even if he was rich and very powerful, Optimus had a good chance of not judging Dylan like some who knew more might have. He had no time to really contemplate it further when the doorbell rang, and Ratchet quickly moved for the door. "Remember, Dylan, I want you on your best behavior," He commented over his shoulder. "Though I do not expect anything less."

Dylan didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or not. But still, he waited, slinking by the doorway as Ratchet carefully opened the door and he could hear chatter. Dylan knew the deep baritone voice from television, but nothing could prepare him for seeing the giant, broad shouldered, red and blue colored mech in person. Dylan felt a lump form in his throat as he stared up at Optimus Prime with weakened knees. The mech stepping into the home with a smile, and a hardy laugh in Ratchet's direction.

"Alright, take a deep breath," Dylan muttered under his breath, sighing. "He's just like any other mech you've met. Just big, and important," He added.

It took him a good minute after telling himself that to step out into the room. His hands were stuck in his jean pockets, and his eyes barely lifted up towards the mech. But that was okay, because Ratchet spoke before he could. "Well Optimus, it seems he's finally joined us," He explained. "Optimus Prime, meet Dylan Logan," He then added. "Dylan Logan, Optimus Prime."

Dylan felt the breath move through his teeth as he tried to speak up. But it was Optimus Prime who made the first move, carefully, and gently lowering himself to Dylan's level and look into his eyes. "It is a pleasure to finally have the chance to meet you," Optimus told him calmly. "Ratchet has told me a great deal about you. And it is an honor to finally have the chance to meet you."

Optimus tentatively held out a finger for Dylan to take. But to his surprise waited, without urging him at all. Instead, Dylan carefully put a hand on his finger, and let him shake it calmly. "I... I guess the honor is really all mine," Dylan explained. "Obviously I know a whole lot about you too," He explained. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Prime."

Optimus smiled gently at Dylan, shaking his head. "Please, Optimus or Prime," Optimus stood to his feet. "No son of a close friend of mine need address me so formally," There was that word again - "son" - it felt weird to hear that. "And the pleasure is all mine, young one."

Dylan was surprised that, not unlike Bumblebee he didn't feel much fear from Optimus. There was still the nerves, and the fear in the back of his mind. But he seemed so soft, and acted nicer than he had expected. "Optimus was just suggesting we might go out to lunch," Ratchet explained. "That way we can break the ice a little bit as I know how nervous you are."

Dylan looked surprised, Optimus wanted to get to know him better? Why? He wasn't his foster kid, he didn't need to get to know him at all. All he needed to do was be nice to him, and smile. "Alright," Dylan commented. "I'll go grab my jacket. But if you two want to go catch up on your own, that's cool too."

"Nonsense!" Ratchet told him. "What am I going to do, leave you out of lunch?"

"We're more than fine catching up in your presence," Optimus offered honestly. "I also recognize that Ratchet now has a sparkling to think of. You are a part of his family, and any part of his family is welcome with me," He added, nodding his head. "Go get your jacket if you need it, young one."

Dylan stared at him uncertainly, but slowly turned to go get it. Ratchet stared over at Optimus, who already had a look of deep concern for him. "You see what I've been saying," Ratchet spoke quietly. "I can't get him to trust anyone's kindness in full. He always seems to look for a catch," He explained. "Or for a lie."

"You've told me he's never had a stable or loving home," Optimus told him gently. "Nor do you even know all the details of what his biological father did to him," He added. "You need to combat his distrust and fear with patience and understanding. And I know that may be a challenge, but it's one you seem to be doing a good job meeting."

"Heh, I have you fooled," Ratchet replied honestly. "Understanding, of course I have. The boy has been through hell," He explained, his voice tight. "But patience... That's coming along harder for me. I want to know what he went through, how to help him. But he's only barley starting to let me in," He grunted. "It's hard."

He knew it would be, but not to what extent. He'd learned that over the weekend with Dylan's fear over his scars, and then his attempt at running away. The way Optimus looked at him, he knew that he understood. The Autobot leader rested his hand gently on his old friend's shoulder. "Give it time," He explained. "Trust is not earned over a few weeks. But Dylan seems to be making strides forward. And that is what matters," He explained.

Ratchet guessed that Optimus was right about that. At the very least he had started to get through to him, slowly but surely. He just wished with all his spark that he could get through to him more, and faster. But unknown to either one, they were being listened in on, silently. Dylan had hidden in order to listen to them, to understand what they were talking about. And his eyes simply moved to the ground, a million thoughts running through his head at once.

Ratchet did care, he realized, and by the sound of it, he cared quite a bit. And perhaps, in a way, that was what scared him more than anything. Because people who cared? Only ended up hurting him, or hurt by him, in the end. He didn't want either of those things, especially hearing Ratchet cared like that.

...

Dylan was surprised when rather than a nice restaurant, they went to a small cafe for lunch. Dylan felt a little weird, sitting there between the Autobot CMO and the leader like this. And who was he? A nobody, a young man that had somehow gotten under Ratchet's plating in a way he had a feeling neither of them were sure of. He rested his hand against his cheek as the two spoke, his eyes scanning around everywhere.

Of course, most eyes and optics were on Optimus, that was no surprise. But others of course fell on him, and Ratchet, which surprised him a bit. Though he guessed that some were curious to see who exactly the Prime was having lunch with. It made Dylan nervous having people staring at them, wondering what they were thinking. Probably judging him, watching his every move around the Prime. Come one, come all, see the human that Optimus Prime dared to bring to lunch!

Ratchet himself seemed to be taking notice of how uncomfortable Dylan was. As he surprisingly reached a few fingers over to stroke his back in comfort. Dylan shifted a little, but didn't mind the action as much as he thought he might. "So, Dylan," Dylan jumped as Optimus addressed him. "Ratchet tells me that you're an artist."

Dylan blushed, he was hardly an artist, and the thought of Ratchet saying he was embarrassed him. But still, he knew better than to not shrug this off as if it were no big deal. He had to look cool, he figured, to run with someone like Optimus. "I'm surprised that's what you're asking about," He found himself saying. "But I guess I'm okay. The stuff I used to do on the side of-," He caught Ratchet's warning glance as if to say "not the time". "Yeah, I'm okay."

Optimus looked at him as if knowing what he was going to say. But rather than judgement, Dylan saw some form of sympathy. Sympathy? For him? For what? He'd been the one tagging buildings and getting himself into trouble. "Okay? I don't think you're being fair with yourself saying that," Dylan's eyes looked up at Ratchet, who had only seen a handful of his drawings. "You'd do well to see the work that Dylan does, it's very impressive. Excellent enough that I'm considering getting both him and Sunstreaker together," He added.

Dylan felt like he could crawl under a rock at that. Was Ratchet actually BRAGGING about him? What was that about? He felt his cheeks turn a tomato red, as he looked at his guardian. And then he could see it, there was a hint of pride in those optics, pride he wasn't expecting. "Bumblebee told me something similar," Optimus noted. "Says that you helped him with "race track" posters for this week's race," Dylan nodded, he knew that much was true. "If they're the same ones he sent me, you do have talent. Though I'd be very curious to see your non-"Grafitti" art."

"He's working on that. And like I said, he's a natural."

Dylan couldn't believe how Ratchet continued to talk like he couldn't speak for himself. He wanted to ask him what the big idea was. Question who he was fooling with this sudden and obviously faked "pride". Or was it real? Dylan didn't know anymore, he didn't understand anymore, not after Ratchet's comments to Optimus. He tried to pull himself out of the situation, to look elsewhere, to be elsewhere in his mind as well.

Optimus Prime soon made it clear that he wasn't going to let him act that way. "You know, the more I sit here, the more I believe I recognize you," The mech spoke up, to which Dylan stared at him, swallowing at the comment. "We have met before, Dylan, haven't we?" He asked.

Dylan looked over at Ratchet, who gave him a look of his own. He was no doubt realizing the reason he secretly hadn't wanted to be put in front of Optimus. He had met the mech before, but not in a "friendly" way, then again, when was it ever? It had been so long ago, and Dylan hadn't even known who Optimus was at the time, so this was technically their first meeting for more than a passing moment.

"Yeah, we did," Dylan commented. "I still don't see why you were in Oregon... Since the state wasn't fully Autobot-friendly," He explained, his voice strained a bit. "You were there when they took my dad away, nine years ago," He explained. "When I was in the police station... You were there meeting with some friend of yours, a cop... I guess he'd just transferred there or something," He muttered. "I'm surprised you remembered that, that was so long ago... I'm not even five anymore."

Dylan tried not to look Optimus in the eyes. "We remember most things due to our memory components," Optimus explained. "I remember that day well. You came in with the barest of clothing," He explained honestly. "I still very vividly remember that night, Dylan."

Ratchet leaned back, realizing that Optimus knew more about Dylan than either had realized. He shuddered a bit, thinking that Optimus might have seen Dylan at his worst. "This was why I was scared to actually meet you. I only met you for five minutes before you left... But man, I was worried about how you'd look at me if you did remember," Dylan commented. "Between what the papers said... And what I'm like now," He admitted quietly.

Yet he had to admit, he had the same feeling he'd gotten before: that Optimus was as kind a mech as he had seemed to be that night. He'd never forget that, the first act of kindness he'd received from anyone human or Cybertronian. The holoform that put an arm around his shoulders, and let him cry, but let him know that things would be okay. He hadn't even known him, or his situation, but he'd gone out of his way to comfort a young human who'd just been saved from the only, disgusting life he'd ever known. He'd only been told after he was leaving, the whole thing was whispered to him loudly enough that Dylan had heard that much.

But here he was, not judging him, not even a little. Not looking at him like he hadn't taken his second chance at life in stride, but rather fought the system. It really was something that Dylan wasn't expecting from someone in as big a standing as Optimus. "I remember that day well... And I have wondered at times what happened to that boy, as I had forgotten the name," Optimus explained honestly. "I am sorry to see the life you lead after that evening was rough. But I am thankful to see you have ended up in better hands," He paused after a long moment. "And if you are worried what I think about the young man you have become... The past is the past to me. Your present is all that matters."

"I hope it's not too late to thank you," Dylan muttered. "You didn't know it at the time, but that was the first time anyone... And I do mean anyone treated me like anything other than crap," He explained. "So ummm thanks," He added.

Ratchet's optics softened at that, that small display was the first kindness of any kind Dylan had seen? "You're most welcome," Optimus replied. "Now that we have "broken the ice" as you humans say. I hope you can put your faith in me that I will not judge you," He paused. "I was around at the time your father was caught, as you know. I know just as much as anyone in that town did. And I do not, and will not judge you."

"Alright," Dylan managed. "I'll try to loosen up."

Ratchet leaned back in his seat, almost jealous of the way Optimus handled things like this. But at the same time, he knew that Optimus had made an impact on his life in some way. And Optimus was only on the same level as he was in that respect, given he had made a huge impact on Dylan too.

And maybe, just maybe, that was the key.

...

Dylan was thankful to be home and away from the public eye not long after. And frankly, Ratchet was too. After their lunch, Optimus had to excuse himself for a meeting. Leaving them at home for the remainder of the afternoon, and helping Dylan to relax a little bit. To Ratchet's surprise, yet again, the boy was the one to initiate a conversation. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you we'd met. I figured he'd forget," Dylan explained. "You... Well you know as much as he does anyway. You said you read the papers."

Ratchet paused a moment, looking down from his data pad. He knew that was true, Dylan and Optimus at least didn't have some bigger secret from him. "I understand," Ratchet nodded his head slightly. "Your worry was not unfounded. Though Optimus is a kind mech as you have learned."

Dylan nodded his head, leaning back slightly as he thought everything through in his head. Did he go into the full reasoning of why he was worried? For that matter, would Ratchet be okay with hearing it? "I was more scared that I'd say something to screw this up," He told him honestly. "I know you say you aren't going to kick me out and I want to believe you," He explained. "Truth is, I like living here."

Ratchet could have been knocked over by a feather. Dylan liked living with him? Had the boy just admitted that? And his stress levels had spiked only after he'd said it, so it seemed to be he was telling the truth. "And I like having you here. Even with that attitude of yours," Dylan looked very surprised at that. "What? You don't think you're here for my mental health, do you? Having a child is stressful, and time consuming. You're here because I like you," He explained. "And your company is something I enjoy."

"You enjoy my company?" Dylan asked, laughing. "Why?"

Ratchet gave the boy a look, as if not understanding why HE didn't get it. But he simply set down the data pad on a counter to give him his full attention. "Well, for one, it's helped with my loneliness, that's for sure," Ratchet explained. "On the other hand, I enjoy the chats we have. Even if some of them are difficult ones, it feels good to pass my knowledge on to someone else," He admitted evenly. "And thirdly, pit, I just like you kid. Do I need a reason to? You're a better sparkling than you give yourself credit for."

Dylan managed a small smile at that, though a part of him wondered how true that was. And yet, maybe Ratchet did enjoy his company, it would sure explain some things. He kicked the ground slightly, but looking up at Ratchet. "Wow I expected a different reaction," Dylan admitted. "I didn't realize you were... Serious."

"That's because you've been in the company of the wrong people," Ratchet explained. "That's what I've been trying to show you the last few weeks. To put you in the company of those that can show you the whole world isn't horrible," Dylan's eyes flicked to the side, could Ratchet read him that well? "I was starting to think it was doing nothing. But I can see that you were simply hiding your feelings too well."

Dylan couldn't believe he was saying it, but Ratchet was right. He was not yet fully trusting anyone, that was going to take time. But he hadn't lied, he was starting to like living with Ratchet a lot. He made him feel like he wasn't just a waste of space, or something to be used... He made him feel something that Dylan could not yet describe, but that still existed.

What he going to do about it was the question. Was he going to give in to this new feeling? Try and trust the word of those that were now in his life more than the voice of his father that ran around in his head? He looked up at Ratchet, his eyes locking with the mech's optics. And after a few long, hard moments, he slowly approached Ratchet. "I'm starting to think maybe you're right," Dylan breathed out. "Thank you... For showing me that."

It was the step in the right direction that Ratchet had been waiting for. "You're welcome," He began. "This doesn't mean I'm expecting your full trust. Or for how you see the world to change overnight," He told the youngling, knowing what he would say next. "But I'm glad you are at the very least opening your eyes, however slowly to the fact I care... We care."

"I don't know when I'll ever get that way," Dylan admitted.

"I know," Ratchet told him honestly. "But whenever that happens... I'm looking forward to the day you do."

Truth be told, Dylan was as well. It may have seemed like an odd thing, but if he did get there eventually, it meant he had finally found a home. Not just someplace that had, for a short time, felt like it could be home. But a real, stable, loving home that he could count on. Was that even possible? Dylan had given up on the idea of finding any of that year ago. Yet here he had found a mech that, at the very least, cared about him.

Of course, he had to find a real prospect in Ratchet. A giant robot his father had hated, a grumpy older medic who so many said was a hard aft. It almost seemed fitting, that he'd end up with the opposite type that most would have put him with. Maybe that was the way things were intended, not always what they wanted, nor expected, but maybe, just maybe, what they needed.

"Credit for your thoughts?" Ratchet asked after he'd stood there silent for a while.

Dylan looked at Ratchet, and thought, for once, about sharing his thoughts with Ratchet. Maybe even asking him why he thought they had ended up in each others paths in the first place. But he couldn't help but feel that talking to him about that was pushing it. They'd already had one deep conversation that day, and one that a part of him knew that he had needed. Anything else? Well, that could wait until they knew each other a bit better.

"Nothing," Dylan smiled sheepishly. "Just thinking... I'm gonna go back in my room, I have some stuff to do," He explained. "Come get me for dinner, I guess?"

"Of course," Ratchet replied. "And if you need to talk about whatever you're thinking. I'm here," He then reminded him calmly. "But Dylan?" Dylan nodded his head slowly. "You're not bothering me if you hang out here you know. If that's why you spend so much time in your quarters," Dylan blinked, putting his hands in his pockets. "Turn on the TV, enjoy yourself. This is your home too."

"I really don't-."

"Dylan."

Man, he really needed to talk to Ratchet about apparently knowing what he was thinking. And yet, maybe it did help that Ratchet was there to keep him reminded. This was his home, he realized, he didn't have to hide out in his room. And Ratchet wasn't going to stop until he knew he was able to believe that. Slowly, he crossed to the added human side of the living room, sprawling himself out on the couch, and flicking on the television. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to watch a little television, at least for a few hours.

He didn't even notice the triumphant, warm smile that crossed Ratchet's face.