A/N: Well, the Bumblebee fic didn't work out. BUT I was having fun coming up with ideas for a more fluffy, less-big plot heavy fic (rest assured it has a plot, just simpler than my other fic) centered around Primal. So we'll give this a shot! Hopefully you'll all enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I only own my OCs.

PAIRINGS: None, maybe past ones if you squint.

TW: Child abuse and neglect. Sometimes will be shown in this fic rather than implied.

CHAPTER 1

DEFINITELY NOT BIGFOOT

Slam! He tasted blood as sweat dripped down his face. "Get the hell to work!" A voice shouted.

Shane Reynolds thought of fighting back, as he always did, but the other side told him not to. When you're ten, and your life is a revolving door of foster families, you generally just learned to put up with the crap. Or at least, that was what he told himself. He'd lived in this one for close to three months now, and while things were considerably bad at the very least he had a roof over his head, a bed to sleep on, and more often than not, food to eat. It just meant that sometimes, he had to put up with days like this, where his foster father came home drunk, agitated, and looking for someone to take it out on.

So he bit back the bile and collected another stack of clothes. After all, he was 4'9" and skin and bones, when compared to the 6'3", hulking man in front of him. There wasn't a world in which he could easily fight back.

He walked away with the clothes in his small arms, and just muttered. It was all he could do without setting Jed off again, he told himself. But when he dumped the clothes into the washer? He decided that the rampant shouting in the back was all the cue he needed to make himself scarce. No one would notice the small, battered form as he scampered down the steps of the rundown farm house he called "home". It was a couple miles to the nearest town and even longer to the nearest school. While it was a curse, the blond-haired boy found it to also be a blessing - as the surrounding woods allowed him to avoid the man as much as possible and just... Play. Even at night like this.

That night however, he saw something.

That was how he'd describe the shifting in the trees. If you asked him, this wouldn't have been abnormal if it weren't for the size of the creature he'd barely glimpsed. Whatever it was, was big, and covered in fur... And metal? Was it Bigfoot? A robot? Or a robot bigfoot? Shane's blue eyes narrowed skeptically as he adjusted his flimsy jacket and removed a flashlight from his back pocket. Most kids, or adults, would have turned back but instead he only felt genuine curiosity as he stepped into the forest. Loud footsteps grabbed his attention, whatever it was must have been nearby, he figured. Or he was just delusional.

Still, curiosity now rising, he followed the footfalls quietly. Whatever it was, he imagined he didn't want to either scare, or anger it. So he kept quiet and stayed at least three steps behind the footfalls. They'd been walking for about half an hour when the footfalls stopped. There was silence in the clearing, but Shane still didn't see the thing he had only glimpsed in the trees around his home. Still, whoever it was made themselves known. "I can hear you following me," Shane jumped at the loud, distinctive baritone voice. "If you're a Decepticon, I'll have you know I'm very much armed."

Armed? Shane swallowed. And what the heck was a Decepticon?

More loud footfalls followed, and then a singular set of green eyes formed between the trees. He only swallowed harder as he noticed just how big this thing was. It stood a good foot over the canopy of trees, obviously something of a giant. And for a moment, his heart dropped into his throat. Would it kill him? It had mentioned weapons after all... But after a long stand-off, whatever it was simply spoke. "Oh, a youngling. Apologies. I didn't realize," "Youngling"? Shane tilted his head. "I suppose you're the one that spotted me at your dwelling?"

Shane could only muster up the courage to nod. What was going on here? What was this thing? He only had seconds to process before the eyes came forward, then a body. They were both lucky that no one could hear the loud shriek that erupted from his mouth. After all, it wasn't exactly common to see a massive gorilla in the middle of rural Connecticut. His flashlight clattered to the ground as he dropped, frightened to the ground. What was this thing? On one hand, there was fur, on the other, there was metal. And NO ape was this big.

"What the heck are you?" Shane had finally managed to find his voice. "I don't understand... Are you a bigfoot? or like a government experiment?"

At this, the ape seemed to laugh. He crossed the space between them with a kind smile, and soft optics that almost made Shane relax... Almost. "Hardly, though I may have contributed to a few legends. I often forget humans in this part of the world aren't used to my kind," The ape explained in all honesty. "Where I come from, I am very close with the humans... Here, I suppose I'm a stranger."

That wasn't an answer, but he'd accepted it was probably a good enough one when the ape finally helped him to his feet. "My name is Optimus Primal. And for all intents and purposes, you weren't supposed to see me. I was merely... Curious about a human dwelling this far out," Shane swallowed. Optimus Primal, right. "Don't worry. It can be our little secret, for now. What is your name little one?"

It was almost a shock to even be talking to something like this right now. One part of him wanted to run and scream some more. But the other was taken in by his kind optics, and soft voice. It was clear that he had to have spent time with the humans, from the way he acted, to the way he spoke. Maybe not dangerous... Just, scary. "S... Shane, my name's Shane," He managed. Before blurting. "A... Are you an alien?"

Primal merely nodded. "Allow me to ask the questions first. What are you doing out here so late? In the middle of a forest?" Primal sounded like a parent reprimanding his child. "You already appear damaged, no doubt your parents are up sick with worry."

Shane whipped the blood from his lip, having nearly forgotten all about that. His face reddened, but he attempted to stay strong. Straightening his body, he looked up into the mech's green optics. "It's just my foster dad really. And it's fine. I've been out here long after eight o'clock," Primal side-eyed his words, as if not understanding the notion. "And I'm fine... Just a scratch. I probably got it from the fall."

Even if he was a giant robot from somewhere, Shane had programmed his mind to make excuses. Still, if Primal didn't believe him, he didn't betray it. Instead, he simply nodded his head along with his explanation. "Still, although I am friendly, many creatures of your planet are not. It is best that we get you back to your home," Primal offered gently. "No doubt there will be quite the stir if we are found together at this time of night."

With that, Primal motioned for him to follow his lead. Shane had to shake away his genuine curiosity, at least for the moment, he figured. Who was this guy? And why was he here? "OK, so you said planet, so you're an alien. But what are you doing here?" Shane finally asked, having grabbed the robot's attention as he moved to keep up. "There are way more exciting places than the middle of nowhere, you know?"

Again, came that hearty chuckle. "I don't normally live here, as I said. But I have come stateside in order to visit the other half of this world. I have spent much of my time in another country," Shane looked thoughtfully, what kind of country was hiding giant robotic animals after all? "The scenery around here keeps me well hidden. But also keeps me within com range of my compatriots. As you can imagine, I'm supposed to be keeping a low profile."

Yeah, so much for that, Shane gathered. "Hey! I'm good at keeping quiet! You can trust me, I'm ten. I'm not some little kid," He gave a toothy grin. Hoping he wouldn't notice the gap in his teeth that contradicted the "little kid" notion. "You just scared me. Not like I see something like you every day."

An amused smile crossed Primal's lips, as if he wanted to humor Shane. Though the young human wouldn't catch on, he was too busy basking in how cool this was... Now that the initial fear had passed and he could actually enjoy it. "Practically an adult in certain cultures," Primal teased. "All the same, I thank you for your willingness to keep my presence secret. My team believes I need the "vacation"."

Shane looked curious. "How long are you going to be here?"

"Hmmm perhaps a month before I continue my pilgrimage elsewhere."

Shane almost felt disappointed, a high contrast to how he'd felt before. If you ignored how big and imposing he was, this ape was really nice. And like most little kids, even the abused kind, it was hard for Shane not to take a shine to him... As long as he didn't turn on him like other adults in his life.

"If you want I can show you around tomorrow then!" Shane offered, a pleading look in his eyes. "You seem so cool. And it's summer! So I don't have school or nothin'."

Primal looked thoughtfully at his young companion and considered it for a moment. After all, while Shane was no longer scared there were other dangers to be considered. While on the other hand, he figured doing so might convince Shane to keep himself quiet... Lest Primal get in trouble as well.

So, as the leader reached the spot he'd first been spotted, he nodded. "Very well, I don't see the harm. So long as your foster father does not come looking," He managed. "I will meet you here just before the sun sets. It will be much harder to see us in doing so."

Shane nodded his head vigorously, two big thumbs up aimed at the mech. "OK! I'll be here! And not a word, I promise!" He announced as he started back toward the home. Having forgotten all about his foster father, his alcohol, and any rage he had. "Bye Optimus!"

Primal watched until the boy had run inside his abode with a sigh. He had a feeling the Autobots may not be thrilled that he'd revealed himself, but he also couldn't help his nature. After all, he'd spent many millennia on this planet - among the humans. He'd helped to look after and befriended several generations of human younglings. And what's more, with the Autobots preferring the city, it had been a bit of a lonely "vacation" if you asked him.

Who was he kidding? He was going to get a stern talking to. But at worst, he'd qualm their fears. So long as he could get this boy to keep to his agreement he wouldn't say a word.

At least he hoped so.

A/N: Short introduction but as usual it'll get longer!