"A Christmas miracle?!" Ratchet said, and it didn't sound like a question anyone was supposed to answer.
"Doc, take it easy, we can enjoy some time with the kids even in this form," Wheeljack said with a smile on his face. No one really knew if Wheeljack had joined Team Prime or had just shown up there, slept over, had Ratchet fix him up, and continued on his quests around Earth.
"I've told you many times, you marauder, DON'T CALL ME DOC!" Ratchet said in a speech.
"Calm down old friend," Optimus said, as he placed a hand on his shoulder and winked at the kids. Did Optimus just wink? The thought of the kids crossed his mind, but he was probably confirming that if he had the chance to enjoy time with them in this form, he would take it with all ten human fingers.
"But, if you want to spend time with the kids off base" "We'll want to get you some warmer clothes" she said and recommended their not-so-warm clothes.
"Then we should do Jasper Nevada" they heard a male voice and all heads moved higher where Agent Fowler was standing and this time they saw him not only in a suit but also in a proper winter jacket.
"I'm going too!" Miko shouted happily and already had in mind what she was going to buy.
"Of course you three are coming with us, since we need a lot of winter clothes to dress this group and be able to go out with them," Fowler said and below, his gaze meeting June's. Jack was looking at them the whole time and he had the feeling that not only his guard and partner were hiding something but also his mother.
"And what are we going to do?" Smokescreen asked and he slowly started to regret that he couldn't go with them.
"You will be here and wait until we return with the necessary things" said Fowler and like an order that was not given the underground sprang to life and the five of them went through it on a big shopping expedition.
"So...what are we going to do?" asked Bulkhead cautiously and the first look he noticed was Ratchet's perception and immediately the doctor walked past him and disappeared into his laboratory. Bulkhead appeared and found that the other two had also disappeared. "Where are Optimus and Arcee?" asked Bulkhead and the other three who were there also looked around in surprise.
"When did those two manage to disappear?" asked Smokescreen. The only one who knew that there was something between Arcee and Optimus was everyone's favorite scout. Who was still smiling and went to the platform where the children spent time every day and sat down on the old couch and turned on the video games they always played.
"Where are we going?" Arcee asked with a smile. She hadn't always seen Prime so excited with a smile on his face, much less one that he would take her hand and quietly leave the team, and now he was leading her to who knows where. "Optimus?" she asked him again, but he looked over his shoulder at her again and continued on into the base.
After a few minutes, he stopped and pulled her hand so that he could pull her closer and hug her. Arcee was a little surprised, but they were finally alone and she could return the favor. She hugged him too, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms, in his warm and protective arms, where she wanted to be always and forever.
"A little away from the others," he answered her question, stroking her back and hair. He missed her, every single night he was at Jack's, so he thought about sending Smokescreen to watch over their charges at Darby's.
"That's exactly what I've been craving all morning," Arcee muttered, pressing closer to him.
"My company?" Optimus asked as he gently stroked her back and hair.
"Your warm embrace," she murmured, giggling as she lifted her head to him and looked into his cold blue eyes.
"So this little warrior is using me to keep warm for free," Optimus said, his voice filled with mock insult as he let go of her and took a step back.
Arcee looked at him and saw him sitting on the bed behind him. "Where did the bed come from?" was the first thing that came to mind, but she pushed it away as she moved closer to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She looked at him, smiled, and gently nudged his nose with her finger. "You know, not just for the warmth, but for your wonderful company, my dear," she said, kissing his forehead.
Optimus smiled as he hugged her again and pulled her close so she sat on his lap and then he lay back on the bed. They both giggled, but it slowly turned into the cuddling they both always enjoyed, as it was their way of forgetting their problems for a moment and focusing only on each other.
They enjoyed each other's company until the base stopped being noisy and giggling, "I think the kids are back," Arcee said quietly as she patted Optimus' head and he just growled a little, as if he didn't agree that it was over. and they had to pretend that they were just commander and second in command again. "Optimus," she said with a smile. He lay on top of her for a moment longer before he reluctantly stood up and helped her to her feet.
"Then we'll continue," he said, looking like a small child whose parents had taken away a toy or candy.
"Okay, my big baby," she said as she kissed him, took his hand, and led him toward the main hangar, where the noise was coming from.