(Please see all previous disclaimers)
The next morning, Aquaformer roused slowly. She was happy to be home. She looked beside her, and found Optimus was already gone. Aquaformer sighed. She knew he was the leader, but she hated the way he always up and left at any and all hours. Figuring her mate was too busy, she began to get herself ready to pick up the little ones. She quickly cleansed her frame and headed out, hoping that the little ones were ok.
She stopped by where Bee and Mirage usually watched the little ones. She knocked on the door and was met by Bee. "Hi, Bumblebee. I've come for our little ones that you were watching" Aquaformer explained, feeling sad but trying to hide it.
Bee looked at her. They didn't have the little ones, but he didn't want her to explode on him again. "Aquaformer, I would love to return your sparklings to you, but…" was as far as Bee got before Aquaformer agitatedly interrupted.
"But…what do you mean by but?" She asked, trying to be patient and not snap at the black and yellow mimibot.
"But they are not here right now…" Bee answered before being interrupted once again.
Aquaformer sighed, as this was giving her a processor ache. "May I ask where they are if they are not here?" Aquaformer asked, not expecting the answer she was going to get.
"Optimus already picked them up about 2 hours ago before heading to Jazz and Prowl's place to pick up the others" Bee replied, relieved when the femme settled down a bit.
Meanwhile, unaware that his mate was awake and trying to find their young ones, Optimus was heading back to his quarters with all ten sparklings in tow, after having taken them to the med bay. He had to stop by there as two of their little ones appeared sick and so, Optimus just wanted to make sure all were healthy. Once all were either treated or declared healthy, Optimus headed for home, hoping to surprise his mate.
Back with Bee, Aquaformer silently left and headed for home, not sure how to feel. She knew she should be grateful her mate was helping out with the young ones, but she also felt like she was seldom a high priority on his list. Granted, they had come to an understanding after the whole Stealth incident, but she felt like she wasn't getting enough of what she needed from her mate.
Since Aquaformer was closer to their quarters, she was home first and made her way to their shared berth. She was holding back tears, as she didn't want to look weak. She rested in the bed, unaware her mood was being affected by the fact that she was once again sparked. She was just not being herself was all she knew. She managed to doze off just before Optimus and the little ones arrived home.
A few minutes after Aquaformer had finally dozed off, Optimus arrived home with all the little ones, who were greatly missing their mommy. Optimus headed back to their shared room and was a bit taken back by what he saw. Aquaformer was there, but she didn't look right. Then he saw the little bit of stained energon on her face. He realized she was sad but he had no idea why. Carefully he woke her up, hoping that being around the sparklings would help her feel better. "Love?" Optimus asked gently.
"Yes…" Aquaformer replied softly.
"Are you ok?" Optimus asked, worriedly.
Aquaformer wasn't sure. "I don't know…I just…"Aquaformer replied, unable to say what she wanted.
"Well, my love, the little ones are home. Once you help me with them, I will be able to do something with you" Optimus stated, hoping to cheer his mate up. Aquaformer nodded, hoping that Optimus would keep his word. And once all the little ones were in bed for a nap, Optimus pulled his mate close and just held her, feeling in her spark that she needed this. Aquaformer just curled into her mate, happy to finally be getting some of his time without having to have adult fun.