Jazz knew this was coming.

Didn't mean he was happy about it.

"You shut off your comms," Optimus rumbled, standing tall outside Harry's shop, arms crossed in that way that meant I am disappointed in you, and you will explain yourself.

Jazz, casually leaning against the side of the building in his bot form, shrugged. "Lost connection."

Optimus's optics dimmed slightly. "Lost connection?"

Harry, who had been watching this whole exchange with an amused smirk, took a sip of his coffee. "You Autobots always this dramatic?"

Optimus turned his gaze to Harry, optics scanning him carefully. "And you are?"

Jazz immediately stepped in front of him. "He's not your concern, Prime."

Harry arched a brow. "Wow. Possessive, much?"

Optimus definitely noticed that. His optics flickered between Jazz and Harry, gears shifting as he processed the situation. "…Jazz. A word. Now."

Jazz clenched his denta but followed, walking a few steps away. Harry, of course, did not take the hint and just leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, clearly eavesdropping.

"Explain," Optimus said flatly.

Jazz sighed. "Ain't much to explain, Prime. I'm here. I'm stayin'."

"You are needed at base."

"Base is fine."

Optimus narrowed his optics. "You are avoiding the team. And now I understand why." He glanced toward Harry, then back to Jazz. "This human—"

"Has a name," Jazz interrupted.

Optimus gave him a look that screamed we are going to talk about this later.

Harry chuckled. "You know, for giant alien robots, you guys act like a bunch of overprotective parents. It's kinda cute."

Optimus ignored that. "Jazz. We are at war. You know what is at stake. We cannot afford distractions."

Jazz bristled. "He's not a distraction."

Optimus tilted his head, looking at Jazz very closely now. "…I see."

Jazz suddenly hated how damn perceptive Prime was.

Before he could even begin to explain—or deny whatever conclusion Optimus was forming—Harry clapped his hands together. "Alright, so are you guys gonna keep having your little heart-to-heart on my lawn, or are we inviting the whole Autobot crew for a cookout?"

Optimus looked at him. "…You do not seem concerned by our presence."

Harry shrugged. "Seen weirder. Fought worse. You guys are actually kind of normal compared to the stuff I've dealt with."

Optimus was silent for a moment. Then, with the kind of patience only a Prime could have, he said, "…I see."

Jazz smirked. "Told ya, Prime. He's different."

Harry winked. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Jazz."

Optimus straightened. "Regardless, Jazz, we need to discuss—"

"Yeah, yeah," Jazz cut him off, glancing at Harry before turning back to Optimus. "But not here. Not now."

Optimus considered this. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. But do not think this discussion is over."

Jazz sighed. "Didn't think it was, boss."

Optimus turned to Harry one last time, scanning him once more. "…Be careful with him," he said, and it wasn't a warning—it was something else.

Harry just grinned, flashing sharp green eyes full of mischief. "Oh, I intend to."

Jazz's engine revved loudly.

Optimus sighed. This was going to be a problem.