(Please see all previous disclaimers)
A few days after Optimus and Aquaformer had shared time, Optimus was heading back to the quarters with a special gift for his mate. He hoped she would like it, though, since she was sparked, her reaction was anything but predictable. Still, he felt she would enjoy this special gift, or at least he hoped so.
Aquaformer was back at the quarters, taking care of their ten little sparklings with some help from Mirage. Mirage was most helpful, especially when Optimus was busy and so was bee. Aquaformer appreciated the help, as ten was too much for her to watch alone especially while sparked. Mirage knew what Optimus had gone to do, but was a bit evasive with Aquaformer as Mirage didn't want to spoil the surprise.
"I hope he returns soon, Mirage. I'm getting really tired" Aquaformer informed Mirage.
"I am sure he will soon be here" Mirage replied, "but if you are tired, you can go rest, and I will watch the little ones."
"But it feels wrong to leave you alone with all ten of them" Aquaformer shot back, tired but not wanting to overwhelm Mirage.
"Trust me, my friend. I can handle it" Mirage replied and shooed Aquaformer towards her berthroom. Reluctantly, Aquaformer went and settled into the berth, quickly falling into a deep recharge. She was that exhausted.
Only a matter of minutes after Mirage had convinced the reluctant Aquaformer to rest, Optimus entered the quarters. He was a bit surprised to see only Mirage watching the little ones. "Optimus, Aquaformer was exhausted but kept trying to help me until I strongly encouraged her to recharge just a few minutes ago. I knew you would be home soon, so I figured I would be able to handle all the little ones alone. Besides, the youngest four are napping and the oldest six are quietly playing nicely either alone or with each other."
Optimus nodded, as there wasn't much more he could do. "I am back with the surprise for Aquaformer" Optimus revealed to Mirage, and then showed Mirage the item.
"I doubt very much she is awake right now. Maybe you can give it to her later, when she rouses. Tell you what, I will take you little ones and have a few trusted bots watch them while you stay here with your sparkmate. Then, you can present your present to her when she wakes without worrying about the little ones" Mirage offered, hoping to help.
Only for his mate's sake did Optimus agree to this, and soon, Mirage was off with the little ones. Optimus sighed then and went to his berthroom where his exhausted mate likely was. And when he found her there, he noticed she was deep in recharge as her optics were flickering on and off very slowly. He knew she only did that when she was in desperate need of recharging. Figuring the surprise could wait, Optimus snuggled up to his mate, carefully wrapping an arm around her and setting his own systems in case she woke or needed something, and then and only then did he allow himself to fall into recharge, unaware that he was going to dream a very strange dream, a very strange dream indeed.