"Oh, what for?" [Optimus turned towards Codexa and tilted his helm right as he was about to walk down the ramp."

Please do. I know Ratchet would end up more worried if you didn't let him know. Issues with ventilation are not something you want to dismiss.

"I better start heading back to the base and put Dib to recharge. It's getting late."

[Optimus said as he began to make his way back to the entrance of the ship, carrying the small sparkling secure in his arms.]

[Optimus opened his intake, about to deny the stubborn' comment, but he was quick to realize it would've only proven his carrier's point.]

[So he chose to clear his intake with a small shake of his helm. A soft smile spread on his derma.]

"I appreciate it. Always. And the same goes for you."

That doesn't sound good. Make sure you let a medical professional give your systems a proper check-up.

"Me and him both, I suppose."

[Optimus said as he gave her a light chuckle.]

"And alright, I'll be sure to ask him about it."

[Optimus readjusted Dib in his arms gently as he pushed himself to stand.]

"Thank you for talking with me. I think I understand everything a little bit better now."

[At the doorsteps of the Autobot base, a small package lays. A folded quilt with a blue and grey color scheme, pattern patterns made to stand out. It was thick and soft, meant for the cold Detroit nights. Resting on top of the quilt was a set of chamomile tea bags. Next to the tea bags-

to him next time we meet."

[An almost alarmed look appeared on Optimus' face.]

"Reestablished? Uhh, well, no, I mean—"

[The Prime rubbed the back of his helm awkwardly.]

"That hadn't even crossed my mind at the time. Maybe Ultra would've wanted to, but I was still trying to process it all."

"Maybe I could bring it up —

What Alice said.

"Oh right," [Optimus said in brief revelation.] "The bond... That never crossed my mind until now."

[The Prime silently mused to himself for a moment before continuing.]

"Admittedly, I don't really understand much about it, and we've had ours for as long as I can remember."

must've been."

[Optimus sat in silence for a moment before continuing.]

"I understand your anger towards Ultra Magnus much better now."

"I'm sorry you had to endure all that." [Optimus said quietly. His servo brushed gently against Dib's helm as the Prime looked ahead in thought, trying to digest all the new information about his family.]

"And you had to deal with a sparkling on top of it all. I can't imagine how difficult that —

I'm sure they are tasty, but I think we should find some other vegetables you might find tasty as well.

Variety is the spice of life. Isn't that how the saying goes?

Rabbit ear... you mean my finials?

You should start eating your vegetables then so that you'll grow up a little bit more first.

I need to get you two one of those "get along" shirts I've seen online.

his ceremony."

[The Prime's expression fell as something seemed to suddenly stray his train of thought.]

"How... how did you manage to escape that chasm? And when did Ultra leave me with you?"

[Optimus shifted Dib into a more comfortable position in his arms as he noticed the little bitlet falling into stasis.]

"Hm... interesting." [Optimus hummed in thought.]

"I suppose back then you saw potential in him? Since you mentioned him listening to you and you having attended —

it was odd to imagine his sire as a Prime, and not as the Magnus Optimus had always known him as.]

"Is that so? That sounds in character for you." [The Prime noted with a soft chuckle.]

"Did he continue to visit?"

"I will, don't worry." [Optimus said with a soft smile. It was reassuring to know that he could count on his creators if needed. Though, hopefully it wouldn't have to come to that.]

[Optimus continued to listen to Codexa attentively as she told about her first meeting with Ultra. —

"How did you and Ultra meet?"

[Of course, Optimus didn't have any kind of plan of action. Only a goal—an optimistic one, but a goal nonetheless—to bring change to his home planet.]

[Because for now, it was his only comfort, and the only way for him to divert his anger into something more constructive.]

"Could I ask..."

—

"Right. I will."

[That was a blatant lie.]

[However, despite already having put his mind to it, Optimus could very well understand both Codexa's and Ultra Magnus' worries. Had it been someone he cared for, the Prime would've likely said the exact same thing.]

"I'll be careful."

—

"One day, those senators will be brought before justice for their crimes." [Optimus continued with a new glint of resolve in his optics.]

"I will see to it. For you, and for the sake of every Cybertronian."

"I understand. It must not be easy to talk about." [Optimus said. He found solace from the gentle peck from his caer and from her field that finally reached both him and Dib. The Prime made sure to let his own EM-field brush against hers, hoping to soothe some of Codexa's own internal turmoil.]

—

been capable of something like that..."

[Optimus took Dib's tiny servo between his two digits, mindlessly rubbing it gently in a soothing motion. It helped distract the Prime as well.]

"In just a few days, my entire understanding of the world has been turned upside down. Everything feels surreal."

leaning against the wall as he brought Dib down in his arms. A small smile—a sad one—but a smile nonetheless spread onto the Prime's derma as he looked down at his bitlet.]

"Thanks buddy."

[The Prime let out a shaky ex-vent before talking to Codexa once more.]

"To think that they had always —

"I know, it's just—" [Optimus was caught off guard mid-sentence. He hadn’t even felt Dib climbing up along his frame until he felt the pats against his own helm as well.]

[For the moment, it managed to quell the feelings of anger, hopelessness, and sorrow.]

[Optimus moved to sit next to Codexa, —

"I'm... so sorry." [Optimus' words were followed by a shaky vent.]

took a few hesitant steps towards his caer before sinking down to her level, pulling her into an embrace—firm, as if he was afraid that she would disappear along with it. Had things been different, she wouldn't have been here at all today, and the mere thought gripped at his spark painfully.]

—