Both Optimus and Silverstorm had to admit they were glad for all the practice when it came time for the ceremony. It was recorded and broadcast as far out as Primus allowed using his own powerful signal. The two Primes had practiced for weeks, going over the ritual again and again and again until they could literally do it blindfolded. Primus had them prepare for every contingency imaginable, and so it went off without a hitch.

The two Primes each gave a speech in his own words then they made vows and combined for their audience. Optimum Storm gave his own speech and then made his vows. The ceremony concluded with Primus inviting any willing bots to come to him, and that all were welcome, Decepticon, Autobot, or Neutral. With that, the ceremony was done, and Primus led Optimum Storm into the temple as the celebration started outside.

As soon as the door closed, Optimum Storm slumped. "That was just as stressful as you said it would be," he said tiredly. "I could recharge for an age and I don't think it would be enough."

"It's all over now," Primus assured him. "And all three of you did well."

"Am I done here?" Optimum Storm asked.

"Yes. Uncombine, if you please."

"Later," Optimum Storm replied, then relaxed and offlined his optics.

Primus watched him split into two mechs, and there were his Primes. "All three of you did well," he repeated, and they both relaxed.

"I think you said that already," Silverstorm said.

"I did, to Optimum Storm. And I repeated it to reinforce the memory," Primus explained. "You three did well, so I am letting all three of you know. It's a common courtesy I give to Primes, and I suggest you encourage your closest friends to do the same."

"We'll let them know," Silverstorm assured him. He sensed a question from Optimus and turned. "Something wrong?"

"I… Primus?"

"Yes?"

Optimus hesitated. It still took effort for him to speak his mind freely, constrained by tradition that no longer existed to the same degree. Primus smiled to encourage him, and Optimus intook a breath. "I think, and I might not be remembering this right, but I think you invited anybody to come to you?"

"Decepticon, Autobot, or Neutral, yes," Primus agreed. "And if any come to see me, there will be no fighting, and they will be escorted to me if necessary. You will enforce this with harsh penalties, and if it doesn't solve the problem, I will intervene myself."

"Sounds reasonable," Silverstorm said.

"Good. I expect the two of you to write up a copy of what I just told you to be announced and posted everywhere tomorrow."

"We'll get it to you soon," Optimus said.

"Good. You two go and take a shower. Rinse off the ceremonial markings then come and join the festivities."

With that, Primus smiled and disappeared in a burst of golden light. The two Primes still stood in front of the temple door, so Primus was being considerate. Optimus huffed and stretched.

"Let's go up to our rooms."

After Optimus had finally spoken to Primus, he had showed them to a suite high up in the temple that was for Primes. The suite was spread across the entire top floor of the temple, and there were so many rooms that it was dizzying. Primus had informed them that if more Primes were added, they would each be given a couple of rooms in the suite. This was a safe place for all Primes, and Primus was clear that the code was to be given to their most trusted advisers only.

"I will inform you if one of them is not welcome for awhile," he said, and then he moved on without giving them a chance to argue.

The message was quite clear. Primus had the final say as to who was welcome in the suite, but permission could be given and revoked at his will. Neither had argued. If this was supposed to be a safe place for them, Primus would be better suited in knowing just who was trustworthy and who wasn't. He could read minds and sparks if he was inclined to, and they were grateful for the care and protection.

They went up the suite and headed to their rooms, which were right beside each other. The entire suite was so big that it was intimidating for them to be too spread apart after years of huddling together for safety. Both of them felt the same way, so they didn't even have to acknowledge it out loud. They'd simply perused the rooms and selected two berthrooms side by side, each with a nice view over the city. They still regularly stayed in the growing army sector of the city, sans shield now that they needed a much bigger one that covered the whole of Iacon in case of bombings by fliers, but they often came to the suite to decompress and talk freely. It had everything they could ever need, including individual showers, which they made good use of now.

"How's it going?" Optimus asked, coming in after drying off.

"Wings…" Silverstorm grunted, trying to reach some of the markings on his back.

"Let me, Storm," Optimus said, and he helped him scrub off the gold dust.

"Thanks," Silverstorm said. It no longer bothered him to have Optimus at his back. For a week or two after their first combining, he'd still been wary of the older Prime, afraid of being hurt again, but Optimus had patiently soothed that fear away. His hands were firm but gentle as he cleaned the nooks and crannies that made up Silverstorm's back and wings.

"There we go. Rinse that of with cleanser and you should be clean," Optimus finally said.

Silverstorm turned around and sighed as the cleanser beat against his sensitive wings. He gazed at Optimus, glittering with cleanser from the spray bouncing off his armor, and wondered if he was in the mood for a question.

"Ask and we'll see," Optimus said, standing in front of Silverstorm's air dryer.

"Why were you surprised that Primus would make his offer to everybody?"

Optimus shrugged and turned away to dry his other half. Silverstreak turned off the cleanser, waiting to see if he'd get an answer.

"I'm not entirely sure how he sees the Decepticons," Optimus finally said, stepping aside so Silverstorm could dry off.

"Me neither," Silverstorm admitted. "But he knows more than we do, so he can judge them better. I say we wait and see how he interacts with them, if any ever show up." He paused and turned around to face Optimus so his back could dry. "Is there a particular Decepticon you have in mind?"

Optimus stared at him then looked away. "If it's all the same to you, I'm not ready to talk about Megatron. Not yet. And it's not just you."

Silverstorm could sense the truth of this. "I understand," he said. Primus had shown him how powerful those two words could be.

Once again, it soothed Optimus to hear that he was understood, and he relaxed his posture and smiled. "About ready to celebrate?"

"Mm, I want to try some of those fancy oil truffles," Silverstorm said, rubbing his hands together.

"Give me twenty and I'll be happy," Optimus said.

"Why Optimus Prime," Silverstorm said in wonder. "You have a sweet tooth, as my people would say."

Optimus's optics turned slightly purple. "Maybe. But sweet has been hard to come by for a long time." He wilted. "The war has taken away so many small pleasures."

"And we get to rediscover them now," Silverstorm encouraged. "Don't fret about lost time and mistakes today, Optimus. Today is a day to celebrate." He hesitated. "But whenever you're ready? I'll be here to talk about it."

"Might not be for awhile," Optimus said quietly.

"That's fine. Just let me know when it's time. Now come on. Oil truffles, Optimus! Let's go!"

With youthful vigor, Silverstorm pulled the older Prime behind him toward the party. Optimus allowed the brooding thoughts about Megatron and the Decepticons to fade, tucked away for later. Today there was no Autobot or Decepticon or Neutral. Today was a holiday, and a ceasefire had been called. There would be peace for today, and the war would start up again tomorrow. But there was a difference now. Now the end of the war seemed like it was closer than before, and both Primes could almost squint and see it. But it wasn't quite visible yet. There were still too many variables, too many lost and hurting mechs, and so much left to do that it seemed hopeless. But the end was in sight.

One more event would be needed to tip the balance. Both Primes could sense it. Another Prime, perhaps? But if so, who? Only time would tell just who the mech would be. All they could do was continue on and lead and love the mechs under their care. Eventually, something would change. And they had to be ready to act when it did.

I cannot believe I can finally say this, but this is the end of Growing Pains. Thank you so much to everybody who has stuck around since I started the rewrite and to everybody who's joined along the way. Please let me know what you think of this story. It took over three years to rewrite, and I think it turned out so much better.

As for future plans, yes there is a third story that I have plans for, but I am going to focus on some smaller projects for awhile and cut down on my backlog of ideas before I tackle it. I need a break from this universe for awhile before I start the third one.

Once again, thanks for reading, and God bless.