(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Optimus felt himself being drawn into a strange world, the dream world. What Optimus didn't know yet was that his processor had been connected to Aquaformer's and so, Optimus was seeing what Aquaformer was dreaming about and he was going to learn a couple new things about his mate. At first, it seemed fairly mundane. Aquaformer was playing with the sparklings, but Optimus noticed that he wasn't in the scene. Then he heard Aquaformer say "don't worry little one, mommy is here, daddy is too busy to be here and help." Aquaformer couldn't t see or sense that Optimus was actually seeing this, but her dreams were revealing stuff he had no idea about. "Besides, mommy's needs don't matter, apparently." Optimus was crushed to hear such things, as she never said anything like that while awake This was much deeper than he realized, she felt ignored.
Soon, the setting with the precious sparklings changed and Aquaformer was back in the time when she had led bots to destroy a con installation that she alone survived. Optimus watched as she worked hard to try and save her designated team, only to lose them all and then she was yelled at and berated by the bot over her and her troop. And the part that crushed Optimus was hearing the comment, "you're lucky Optimus doesn't get rid of bots or your fat aft would be long gone." Optimus didn't like this, he didn't like it at all, she had felt so much rejection, no wonder she had at first feared to bond. He didn't know if this was true, as it happened millions of years ago, but if it was, Aquaformer suffered with so much more than she told everyone or even let on.
Then came a very unique dream, one that Optimus would never had even thought was possible. Aquaformer dreamed that she was taking care of Optimus but he was a sparkling. She was gentle and caring as she cared for the little bot. "I don't know why you decided to go visit Wheeljack when I told you not to, but I will care for you until you can be returned to normal." This was strange as this looked like a time long before the precious sparklings came. This had never happened, but then Optimus had never been in the dreams of his mate when his mate was sparked. Optimus just continued to watch until the dreams stopped and both Optimus and Aquaformer woke up. Optimus pulled his mate close to him, wanting to share love with her. Aquaformer didn't understand why, but enjoyed the sweet hug of her mate.
"Why are you here? Aren't you busy?" She asked, trying to hide her hurt. She did want to drive Optimus off.
"I wanted to get you something special" Optimus stated and presented the gift he had found. She smiled as he gave it to her. She just wanted some time with him and some genuine compliments but she had learned his love language seemed to be gifting, and so she showed appreciation for what she received. Optimus was relieved and the two soon enjoyed time alone together before went to get their young ones.