(Please see all previous disclaimers)
As Predaking snuggled close to the sleeping Lancex, elsewhere in the Autobot base another bot was trying to think things through about all that had recently happened, including the mysterious appearance of the bot Lancex. In his own private quarters, Optimus was still trying to figure things out. The old Prime didn't understand why he felt the way he did and why he felt so protective of Lancex. Lancex was clearly able to take care of himself and he certainly didn't act like a bot in search of a mate or two. In fact, due to the emotional blunting of the bot, Optimus was almost certain that Lancex had no desire for a mate. The bot seemed like just another soldier that wanted to see this infernal war end. At least, that was what Optimus told himself.
Optimus also thought about things that Ratchet had mentioned – Lancex being a submissive bot and being able to carry, but also being emotionally blunted as well as having parts of his systems that couldn't be read by the medic. What did this all mean? Optimus also figured that if anything, If Lancex even desired another bot, it would likely be younger, like Bulkhead or Bumblebee. Even so, that didn't explain why Optimus felt his systems reacted the way they did when around this knew bot. Ratchet had told Optimus to find happiness, but Optimus refused to allow himself to do so, so long as other life forms were destroyed by the cons.
And while thinking about all these things, Optimus failed to realize that his systems had opened up his groin plating and Optimus' systems were warming as they thought about just how wonderful that Lancex seemed to be. Optimus shrugged even as the feelings went through, hoping that he wouldn't get hurt if his systems were acting correctly around this new bot who seemed to be such a capable warrior. Optimus briefly thought about what must have occurred before Lancex arrived, but soon drowsiness and sensualness took over and the soon out of it Prime was fading off to sleep and into dream land. He had no idea just what he would see as he recharged, but it would reveal a truth he wouldn't be able to deny.