TRIGGER WARNING: More overt talk about Dylan's abusive past here. Only part of the story. Sexual abuse implied for the first time. And some PTSD.

CHAPTER 7

"The view up here is... Magnificent."

"I know, that's why I brought you."

Out near the old hill, far outside the city, was definitely the perfect place to spend time with a giant robot, Dylan figured. Optimus seemed happy, at least. His optics turned to look at him, and there was a fondness in them. Had this won Dylan brownie points? Honestly, the teen wasn't sure. They sat there for several minutes in silence, enjoying the view until Dylan spoke up again, his eyes falling on Optimus. "I really am sorry for going against what you said, y'know," Dylan explained, the mech frowned at his words. "I just... I didn't think someone could find me that important. I'm not exactly someone people find important."

He could feel the look Optimus gave him then. It was easy to tell when someone pitied you, even when you didn't want that. "You asked me not to pry, and I will not."

Dylan shrugged, though he was thankful for that. But on the other hand, he knew he owed Optimus some sort of explanation. He knew his dad was in jail, he knew he'd done horrible things... What was the point in hiding small things? "I was scared," Optimus looked surprised. "I've never slept in a bed so soft... Or felt so welcomed before, y'know? Normally... People don't treat me like that. Especially if they know my story."

Optimus was silent, there was that pity again. Or maybe something more? There was silence for a long minute... Then Dylan continued. "My dad did terrible things to me, Optimus. Things I don't want to talk about now. But on Earth humans don't respond well... Not most of the time anyway," Dylan explained. "I didn't have a bed... Or even really a "home" for most of my life. I guess that's why I was OK with the streets."

This time, there wasn't silence. Optimus spoke clearly, and honestly. "You are barely a youngling. No one your age should be experiencing kindness such as this for the first time," Dylan huffed. On that he could agree. "I'm sorry that I was the first to reach out to you with kindness."

Dylan had to correct him. "Not the first... Just the first to do it without question," Dylan admitted. "Some people in foster care cared. They tried... But I pulled stuff worse and they would just - give up. Somehow you just sent me to my room, made me think about what I did."

It was unlike any reaction he'd ever gotten.

"My "father" hurt me too," Dylan looked up - blue eyes bulged like saucers. "I knew... The moment I met you, something had happened. Hurt people know hurt people, or so the saying goes."

That, or hurt people hurt people. But Dylan mused he liked the Prime's way of looking at it better. Even if it had caught him by surprise. Robots abused each other? Well, he guessed, they went to war so was it really that shocking? He was, however, surprised as the Prime placed a hand on his back, and gently ran a circle around it with one finger. Dylan normally might have shied away from the touch, but again this damn giant robot made him feel comforted... Since when did he ever feel that way? He let Optimus do this and then the mech spoke again.

"I know you don't believe me. But you will be cared for here. We lost so many of our youth in the war," Optimus explained sadly. "We treasure the young - of all species - very highly."

Dylan wished it was the same for humans. It seemed like there were so many in the foster care system that he could hardly say that their species gave a damn. Maybe he'd been born on the wrong planet, he gathered. But then again, if most of their young were dead, maybe that wasn't the case. "Well, if you guys weren't hiding... I know a lot of kids in foster care who wouldn't care about who they lived with," Dylan admitted. Though it was only a ghost of a thought. "I mean, if you guys really lost a lot of your kids."

Optimus was silent, and Dylan could tell he'd considered this. Probably ever since he'd met Dylan. But still, the leader's words were more honest than anything. "Perhaps, after we've been here long enough... We can think about creating families again like that," Optimus admitted. "Unfortunately, I worry about the danger we would put you children in... With the war, that is."

The teen was silent, he wasn't sure what to say to Optimus about that. But his next words rang true too. "Most kids don't care, Optimus. If you're an alien... Or at war. Or whatever. We just want to belong. To be at home," Dylan explained. "At least, I know I wouldn't have... I'd have taken a one-eyed talking squirrel."

There was silence that came over the two of them for much longer then. But as the sun again started to set on another day Dylan felt like he'd wasted, Optimus rumbled his engine slowly. "We should get going back to the base. Night is not our friend lately, as you can see," He could say that again, Dylan thought as Optimus transformed and popped the door for him to climb inside. "We'll drive through somewhere along the way for dinner, hmmm?"

Dylan wondered why he didn't want to talk more.

"Out of the question! You can't just... Keep a human."

Optimus had certainly expected General Hawk's reaction at their meeting later that night. But the thought had still occurred to him after the events of the last few days. After all, when Soundwave made his intentions clear, Optimus knew that even if they found out why the Decepticons wanted him, Dylan would never be safe. He was now embedded into their war, and would always have a target on his back... Then his words about how kids didn't care had come... And he just... Optimus didn't really know. But somehow he thought maybe Dylan was right.

The JOE almost seemed to read right through his thoughts. With a look on his face, he immediately continued, but kept his stance firm. "Look, I get it. I read the kid's file - and he's seen some shit," Hawk explained honestly. "It's not easy to do what you're asking. And I don't even know why you're asking it to begin with. We agreed it was temporary."

Optimus was thoughtful about whether he could trust the government with this information. But at the same time, he had trusted Dylan... So... "When the war broke out, the Decepticons attacked and leveled where we housed our children. Hundreds of thousands died, entire families were wiped out... Including my mate and our unborn sparkling," Hawk's face softened at that. "Had he lived, he would have been Dylan's age... And the more time I spend with him - the more I'm reminded how I haven't even thought of a sparkling in so many millennia."

Hawk looked at Optimus curiously. Then sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't even... Tell you how much I truly feel your loss, Prime. But I can't just... Let you adopt a human, there are codes," Hawk explained. "And if you really want to make him some pilot for a program like that... You're talking so many NDA's - lots of headaches."

Optimus leaned back, having figured the man would say that. But something about this boy... When he was around him he both wanted to scold and comfort him. Then there was his age, an age that seemed too close it almost seemed like fate. "And what if it was just one? One human that the world already believes missing," Hawk was silent at his words. "I feel a connection to this boy, General Hawk. And I can promise you, even when the Decepticons are handled... He cannot return easily to a normal life."

Hawk pondered Optimus' words for a moment. "Does the kid even know you're talking to me about this?"

Optimus thought it was obvious. "I did not want to give him hope I could provide him a permanent home. I gather he has had enough false hope already," Hawk shrugged in agreement. "I will broach the subject when I have been told it's possible."

Hawk again stared at Optimus for a long time - not saying anything in return. As he looked at his bodyguards a moment, he nodded and they stepped away. Leaving the two leaders alone. "This is something I'd have to talk to my leaders about. The ones that go above even me," Hawk explained. "What you're asking is a lot more difficult than temporary custody. We have laws about adoption here... It's not as easy as paperwork and the snap of a finger."

Optimus nodded in agreement. "Then I will continue to keep my thoughts to myself... Until you can tell me if the option is there," He admitted. "Either way, I thank you for the consideration on the matter. I will inform you if my thoughts on the matter change. After all, he's only been in our care a few Earth days."

Hawk seemed glad he at least understood that. "Don't thank me yet, I can't promise anything."

He was jolted online that night by Dylan's screams.

Optimus was the only one inside that night, with Arcee and Bee on patrol, and Mirage spending some time with Noah. So he supposed if he really wanted the job - it would be his first test. One he admittedly might have initially failed, grabbing his cannon and running into the makeshift room ready for a fight. What he found was the boy fighting with the bedspread, thrashing, crying out. "NO! Stop! Please! I don't wanna!" Dylan cried out loudly. "Daddy stop..."

Not knowing what else to do, Optimus crouched to his knee. He was familiar enough with PTSD, all of his Autobots had it in some form or another, to know what was happening. But in someone so young? It broke his spark... Primus, what had this man done to Dylan? He didn't think he wanted to know. "Dylan, Dylan, relax," Optimus rested a hand on his back. "I'm here... You're safe. Breathe."

When Dylan's eyes shot open, it took him a minute to relax. But he was soon trembling as he stared at Optimus. The mech was relieved that he'd relaxed, but noticed quickly how wet the bed was. "What are you doing in here?" Dylan asked, wrapping himself up as he backed away. "Please... Don't... Don't touch me."

The words flowed out - and Optimus searched for these new actions in his processor. All signs pointed to one thing, the bed wetting, the sudden fear of his touch. Optimus retracted his servos and held them up defensively. "Dylan... It's alright. I have no intention of harming you in such a despicable manner," Dylan's eyes watered. Optimus merely softened his optics in response. "I heard your cries and pleas. So I came to check on you... Nothing more. My servos are here. Where you can see them."

Dylan was silent for a long moment. "How did you figure it out that quick?"

Optimus tapped his helm. "Human search engine. Symptoms are easy to search on something called "Yahoo!"," Optimus explained. Dylan was silent, and his body still trembled. "We have fresh sheets I can procure while you change. If that is within reason."

There was only a small nod in response. Optimus did as he said, and when he returned the boy had changed and put the soiled sheets into a corner. When he'd returned with new ones, Dylan didn't say anything while remaking his bed. Once he was done, however... "Now you know why no one wanted me," Dylan managed. "This night always comes... And they don't know what to do with me. Don't know how to handle a kid who..."

He closed his eyes as tears streaked down his face. Optimus reached forward, he wanted to again rub his back and assure him... But he also knew that right now, Dylan wouldn't want it. "No human should have their innocence torn from them at a young age. If anyone looks at you differently, Dylan... They should be ashamed," Dylan was surprised by the softness in the mech's words. "I would have words with your father, however."

Dylan frowned. "I never said my dad did it..."

Optimus was blunt about that. "You didn't have to. He's in jail and has been for nearly a decade for a reason," Dylan looked like he couldn't argue with that. "We have PTSD in our society too, Dylan. I can recognize it easily."

The boy climbed into his bed as Optimus rumbled quietly. "I just... Sometimes I worry he's coming back for me one day. More than the Decepticons, even..." He managed. "Nighttime's especially hard."

Optimus nodded, understanding. "Well, I see only one way to remedy that for the night," Optimus explained. "If you need me, I'll be recharging outside your door."

Dylan's eyes widened into saucers; his voice momentarily caught in his throat. "Prime, you don't have to do that."

Optimus knew, but if he was going to try to be something to this boy... He wanted him to learn early he was safe with him. From Decepticons, and from his father. But still, Optimus gave him a small look and said only one thing: "Recharge well, little one."

He couldn't help but notice that as he watched him, Dylan seemed to relax. Probably more than he ever had before.

A/N: Woo, tough chapter to write, but I hope it came out good!