I do not own Transformers.

"Hold on a second, Miko," Ratchet stopped her rambling as he averted his gaze down towards the Japanese teenager that was near his pedes. "you know how to play different types of musical instruments?"

Miko grinned widely at the CMO.

It was still late at night and Miko was still persistent on at least coloring one wall before heading off to bed. Much to her surprise, Ratchet decided to join her and ask her some questions about her talents, such as instruments.

It was kind of nice...talking about her hobbies and what she did back in Japan.

What she loved to do.

Granted, listening to Bulgarian shriek metal and playing her electric guitar was one of those hobbies, but she had many other secret talents that the Autobots have yet to realize.

Even Jack and Raf have skills that they didn't often use at the base, but at home.

"Yep!" she answered, her voice high and chirpy as she glided the paintbrush over the wall. "I can play the acoustic and electric guitars, the piano, the violin, the flute , the drums and the Sanshin!"

"Sanshin?"

"A traditional Japanese instrument that is kind of like a guitar, but has only two strings and the fingerboard is a bit more longer."

Ratchet nodded and absentmindedly tried to wipe off the white paint off his frame. He looked up at the wall and was almost proud on how far they have gone. Miko had decided to try to do the bottom area while he did the higher areas.

The medic was so immersed in Miko's talking that he didn't realize it was half-past 3am. It only felt like a few minutes have past for Ratchet.

He glanced briefly towards the teenager, almost astonished on how such a spunky, energetic child had so much talent and gifts that he didn't even notice. It was always hidden behind her lively personality. The more the girl talked, the more he understood her better.

He realized that Miko was way smarter than he let on. And she was proud of where she came from.

The mere fact that Miko learned about 6-no-7 instruments, is pretty skilled in art and explains about her culture and country with pride made him...impressed. The CMO was proud of Cybertron and he often talked about it with Rafael, but it was refreshing to learn about other types of Organic culture.

While he did admit that he severely misunderstood her, she was still animated with her chatter. But now that he knows more about her, he didn't really mind it anymore.

"Why do you not play anymore instruments at the base other than your shrieking guitar?" Ratchet asked absentmindedly, inwardly smirking as he saw Miko roll her eyes at the comment of her instrument.

"Because the Piano is too large to bring it," Miko started. "My flute, Sanshin and Violin are all back in Japan." The Japanese teenager paused and downcast her face to the floor.

She sighed and averted her eyes to look straight at the white wall. "Plus...I was only allowed to bring one instrument onto the plane...so..." Miko rolled her shoulders while her words died down on her tongue.

Confusion flashed through Ratchet's faceplates.

"But you have two, I believe," the CMO noted. "One electric and the other acoustic."

"Actually, I had 3 guitars," she chirped. "My host parents got me another electric guitar when I arrived from Japan to big Ol' America!" Miko emphasized, a wry grin gracing her lips.

Ratchet rolled his optics fondly at the reply.

"My host parents knew I liked playing instruments, so they got me another electric guitar as a welcome gift," Miko explained, but her face turned almost sad like. Nevertheless, her lips tugged up into a dry grin. "That is until Bulkhead tried playing and accidentally crushed it."

"Well, yes...we are quite hazardous when it comes to fragile and small objects in our servos," Ratchet murmured.

Miko's mouth cracked into a more playful smile. "It was worth the shot. At least I still have my other electric guitar and acoustic one."

Ratchet hummed.

"So you say, but you only bring the electric guitar here to base," he mused.

Miko huffed. "Obviously!" she exclaimed. "Its very special to me...not because it was from America or the fact that I bought with my own money-" The teenager fiddled with the bristles on the paintbrush, the tips staining her fingernails as she played with it.

"But?" Ratchet questioned genuinely, glimpsing past his chassis and to Miko with a risen optic ridge.

The black-haired teenager bit her lip and contemplated her words carefully. She shrugged helplessly and released a sigh. "I don't know, the acoustic guitar gives me a sense of comfort-or calmness that often times I can't find anywhere else," she confessed quietly.

Ratchet's faceplates softened.

He saw the corners of her lips curve into a small smile.

"The the way of the melodic tunes and the soothing sounds it gives off...it really reminds me to also enjoy the quiet moments, comforting me in times where I felt like I or the world was too loud."

Miko regarded the CMO with a shy look. "I guess you would enjoy the quiet and calm Miko rather than the noisy and loud Miko, huh?"

Ratchet's optics glazed over the child. There were no words that he could utter for a moment. All he could do was open his mouth and then close it because no words would produce.

Finally, he shook his helm and sighed. His optics trailed to Miko's form again and she saw the teenager quietly painting the wall once again.

He shifted to bend down on one knee and noticed how Miko stopped gliding the paintbrush over the wall and turned around to face his giant frame with a hesitant facial expression before looking down to her shuffling feet.

Ratchet used a single digit to lift the tiny child's head up so he could see her face clearly.

A small gasp escaped her lips as she felt a single digit, warm despite it being metal, lifting her chin up as she saw Ratchet's wholly blue optics searing into her own chocolate brown eyes.

Ratchet examined her face. Little splatters of white paint stained her cheeks and nose while her sidebangs were dancing wildly across her forehead, the large pink streak standing out from her shiny black-hair.

Her almond eyes shone with every little cheerful and merry act Miko had inside her.

So lively, energetic-so determined to fight anyone that hurt her friends. Very protective of those she cared for. Ratchet knew he wouldn't know Miko too closely as he wished he could, but that comes with understanding her privacy that she prefers to keep quiet about.

And that was okay.

But he really did question himself how Miko opened so much to him rather any other 'bot.

He observed her pretty face before giving the girl an ironic grin.

"If I would have wanted a quiet and calm Miko, I would have expressed it keenly, but I much prefer the Miko we have as an ally and friend," Ratchet commented.

Miko's eyes widened a fraction, her tiny mouth trying to open as much as she could with Ratchet's digit holding her chin up.

Her eyes gleamed.

"Ratchet..."

"I mean it, Miko," Ratchet stated softly. "I wouldn't have traded anything for you, or any of the other children we have accumulated as...family."

Miko's arms wrapped around Ratchet's single digit, grinning genuinely as she pressed her cheek against his digit.

"Aww, thanks Doc 'bot."

And Ratchet couldn't help but roll his optics fondly.

The night waned as morning greeted Jasper, Nevada. The sun had finally risen to its earth horizon and bright blue skies bid the stirring stars away. Optimus was already up and ready to start the day, as per usual.

Everyday was the exact same routine for the Prime. Recharge for the night and get up at sunset. Maybe it was just his systems that so used to Cybertron's time unit, or maybe it was that he thoroughly enjoyed the rising of the sun.

He really didn't know, but at this point, he could say that he was an early riser for both of the those reasonings. And it was no secret that Ratchet was probably up as well.

Optimus walked down the hallways of the base, mechanisms working inside him with each step he took. Every time his pede would hit the concrete floor, it would echo throughout the empty halls. Even stepping lightly would make a powerful sound.

The Prime vented quietly and entered the common room, his optics scanning the screen station, only to find it empty of the regular medic standing there with his usual hunch of his shoulder struts.

His optics re-sized in quiet surprise as he averted his helm towards the mezzanine. Zooming in on the children's corner, he saw a form on the old couch with covers layered on top of them.

He could only assume it was Miko underneath the covers.

Optimus slowly approached the upper level of the mezzanine and leaned forward over the rails as he looked closely towards the form. He answered his own question when he saw Miko's shiny black and pink gradient hair sticking out from underneath the blankets.

If he squinted, Optimus could see see her relaxed face as she slumbered on. One strand hair flailed wildly as her deep breaths inhaled and then exhale, the twitching in her eyelids as she dreamed of what humans can imagine. It didn't take long for Optimus to notice a white spot

Straightening, he turned his helm towards the wall on the right and was quite surprised when he saw the entire wall completely white. And not to mention that a familiar CMO was sitting on the far side of the wall, his chin resting on his chassis while his arms were crossed to his chassis as well.

Blotches of white were peppered on Ratchet's amber streaks.

Gradually, Optimus' lipplates lifted up and his optics softened ever so softly. Cautiously, he loomed over to Ratchet, bending down and placing a servo on the medic's shoulderplate.

Immediately, he got a reaction and Ratchet sat up straight, faceplate groggy but coherent enough to talk.

"Miko," he slurred tiredly, sluggishly waving his servo around. "You missed a spot..."

"It's just me, old friend," Optimus said, optics sparkling with amusement as he watched Ratchet blink in realization. The CMO groaned and ran a servo over his wearied faceplate.

"What time is it?"

"Sun is rising, old friend," Optimus replied before holding out a servo towards the exhausted mech. "Perhaps it is a good time to get some deserved recharge."

Ratchet didn't deny the need for recharge as he reached out and gripped the Prime's servo and hauled himself up with a grunt. His frame creaked in protest as he straightened and stretched, mouth opening to emit a small yawn.

"Rest well, old friend," Optimus rumbled out, watching the medic trudge and disappear into the hallways.

He returned his gaze back to the white-pristine walls, wondering briefly on how long Miko and Ratchet worked on this wall. A small noise jolted him out of his thoughts and whipped his faceplate towards the children's corner.

The Prime saw the bundle move shortly before it stopped and a deep, small sigh was heard. Optimus blinked and noticed how the blanket on Miko had slid off from her shoulders.

Slowly, he approached the children's corner once more and used his forefront digit and thumb to pick up the corners of the little blanket before draping it over the Japanese teenager's shoulders quite carefully.

The girl moved again and Optimus froze in his spot, worried that if he moved that he'll wake up the child. Fortunately, she briefly turned her head and settled in once more.

Releasing a vent he's been holding, Optimus slowly backed away and towards the elevator, where he wouldn't cause any more noise. Though his routine was out of ordinary he didn't dare wake up Miko when she had stayed up past her usual bedtime.

Teenagers needed their rest, and without it, you're dealing with grumpy teens and its not always a pleasant time to deal with them in this situation.

He had heard that from June, Jack's mother who is a nurse. Although he and the rest of the Autobots were far much older than the humans, he took their words seriously, whether it was June's advice on teens or learning earth customs.

Optimus' chassis rumbled contently as he watched the horizon greet him with the bright sun poking out. Tiny wisps of clouds settled on the thin line of the horizon, mixing with the hues of orange and light pink swirling with the baby blue.

It was a sigh to behold and Optimus enjoyed these types of mornings. Where earth was a majesty all on its own. And the people were its product, wondrously creating new things.

While their culture were different by his own, and highly upgraded with technologies, it was fascinating to see them at their works. Earth was quite peaceful...sometimes.

He noticed that many people held different beliefs; spiritual views, political opinions, and several communities. Many of their differences had led to fights. Much to his horror, physical fights would commence at times.

But even he can relate to the fights and arguments back on Cybertron. His planet was strict on the caste system, and while he was lucky that he was in a stable and fair job as an archivist in Iacon, many of other Cybertronians were not so fortunate and was put way under the caste system.

Optimus' spark constricted as he remembered Megatronus, his friend...

Megatronus was determined to destroy the caste system. His intentions were good...but his actions brought the young archivist into disgust and dismay. Using tyranny to destroy the caste system wasn't the way...it couldn't be it...

The Prime looked down at his servos.

Isn't that why he became a Prime?...

He shook his helm and looked over the skyline, a melancholy feeling wrapping around Optimus as he vented quietly and allowed himself to express sadness on his faceplates.

Closing his optics, he imagined a perfect Cybertron, where it was peaceful and full of Cybertronians, small or big. Sparklings toddling after their carriers and the next generation being cared for lovingly.

Where he was at tranquil and finally see his people happy and healthy.

He entertained the notion of having children of his own...

But until the war was done, he would not bring his own children into a painful part of their war. No child should ever be apart of War. And he wasn't going to allow any children (regardless of their species) to be a part of war where it was never their faults.

Ashamedly, he brought 3 children into war from earth and he was hell bent on keeping them safe until the Decepticons was gone from this young planet. In spite of the major differences, children were no different despite it.

Jack, Miko and Raf have proven that fact. And it hurt no less to realize that he brought these precious younglings into their War. He had to admit that they are strong. Physically and mentally.

They were steadfast with helping them win this war.

He was lucky to have them...and though their species were highly diverse, he couldn't help but feel paternal with them.

Perhaps the world was preparing for sirehood, who the heck knows. Maybe it was a sign from the galaxy that the War was ending and their next generation was on their way.

Primus, wouldn't that be wonderful.

Maybe soon...

Hopefully.

Optimus reopened his optics, glancing once again to the horizon, where he saw the sun reaching its peak more clearly. He was lucky that he had this time to recollect himself... the Decepticons had been in a lull for quite some time and it was nice to just...enjoy the moment.

He shifted on one of his pedes-

CRUNCH!

Optimus jolted when he felt something crumble underneath his pede, followed by a bass-like sound entering his audio receptors. He blinked and looked down, lifting his pede and with shock -and perhaps horror- he saw splintered wood sprawled onto the rocky floor with metal strings sticking out from every angle.

Oh Primus.

Not surprisingly, he panicked, because, Primus, he just destroyed Miko's guitar. He honestly didn't know how Miko would react. When Bulkhead accidentally broke another guitar that Miko owned, she wasn't too upset...but it obvious that the Japanese teenager greatly cherished her instruments.

Optimus bent down and plucked the broken pieces into his servo, already knowing that this guitar was beyond saving. It was completely shattered and he had just destroyed it.

His optics scanned the busted guitar pieces that he was able to pick up by his enormous digits, facial expression looking as hopeless as ever, because Oh dear Primus, he just wrecked a little organic's musical instrument.

For once since arriving to Earth, he cursed under his vents and looked helplessly at the split wood and metal strings that used to be a beautiful guitar. He remembered briefly that Miko was 'tuning' her guitar, showing Bulkhead how to do it.

While he and Bulkhead knew that small objects would practically crush under their strength, it was nice to know -regardless if they can't use it- that the humans were ready to explain it for them anyways.

Once she was done tuning the guitar, Optimus heard a very melodic tune coming from the strings that was attached to the guitar as she plucked them delicately.

It was a pleasant sound and all too brief for the Prime, but it was nice to listen to anything other than shriek metal.

Now...

Optimus would kind of rather choose listening to Miko's Bulgarian shriek metal for 5 hours and destroying his audio receptors than destroying her prized guitar.

He released a heavy sigh. The Prime knew he couldn't avoid it...and eventually he'll have to face Miko about this catastrophe. Holding the broken bits in his cupped servo, he turned around to go back in the base, where he quietly dreaded Miko's reaction.

Optimus was admittedly hoping that Miko was still slumbering in her nest of blankets and pillow, but his spark sank into his tanks a he saw the little girl sitting up with her phone in her hands as she scrolled the screen with a bored expression.

She jumped when the elevator made a noise before whirling her body around and seeing Optimus stroll into the base with his servos together. Miko grinned tiredly up to the Prime while Optimus' spark went further down to his pedes.

"Hey, big guy," Miko greeted, shoving off her blanket and standing up before stretching out her limbs. "How did you sleep?" she questioned, folding her fingers together as she bent them, making a crackling noise.

Optimus winced inwardly, shortly wondering how humans can make such...snapping sound from their body.

"I recharged well, Miko," Optimus said with his usual stoic and bass tone vocals. "I assume that you did too?"

Miko nodded as she walked over to her bag and rummaged through it.

"How do you like the wall?" she asked, absentmindedly taking out a brush and pulling the band that held her up together down. Optimus watched her brush her black, shiny hair that trailed to being hot-pink.

"It is impressive that you finished so soon, seeing as the base is a bit large," he said honestly.

Miko laughed and shook her head, gesturing her hand towards the medic station. "Ratchet helped me out with the difficult parts," Miko said gleefully. She dropped the hairbrush onto the couch and gathered her hair up in a high ponytail before tightening and sighing in relief.

"Finally! My hair is always a mess when I wake up and it drives me nut!" she exclaimed.

Miko proceeded to work around the children's corner, folding her blanket and setting down next to her dufflebag before placing her pillow on top of the folded blanket.

She stretched once more and looked at Optimus again with a crooked grin. "Bulkhead is gonna take me to my house so I can clean up and grab some stuff for the wall," Miko said casually, continuing to stretch her limbs out. "Then I'll come back and finish the first wall!"

Optimus remained quiet as he watched the Japanese teenager strain her body limbs to a capacity, probably helping her body wake up. Finally she gasped out loud. "Oh scrap! I forgot my guitar up on the roof!"

She quickly stuffed her feet inside her shoes and began to scurry to the elevator before Optimus stopped her .

"Miko..." he stated quietly. "That will not be necessary..."

There was an uncertainty tone that Miko was suspicious of.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Optimus didn't say anything but lean down slowly and bringing out his cupped servos to reveal-

A small gasp came from the girl as her eyes widened. Optimus watched Miko l walk to his servos that contained what was once a guitar. With a guilty conscience, he saw her pick up the smashed parts of her guitar, looking between the pieces that were in hands with her face full of shock and horror.

Miko glanced up at Optimus, his faceplates oddly guilty. "W-what happened to it?" she managed out, the words choking.

"I had accidentally stepped on it upon watching the sunrise from the roof," Optimus admitted.

The Japanese teenager blinked and Optimus could only watch in complete conviction when she started blinking rapidly, obviously trying to suppress the tears that were threatening to fall.

It made the Prime's spark shatter.

He really fragged up. And he didn't deny it.

She couldn't be angry at Optimus.

She knew it was a mere a accident and her fault for leaving her cherished guitar up on the roof.

But as Miko looked at the shattered parts of her guitar, there was a twisting feeling hurting her heart in more ways than she can comprehend. Her acoustic guitar-the instrument that made her feel calm and content in amidst of a raging storm; a way to escape the loudness when she wanted quiet; a way to make herself quiet when she felt too blaring- completely destroyed.

All in all...It was a way to escape life when it got too difficult for her...

Miko's lips trembled and she blinked back tears furiously, shoulders sagging with a look of absolute devastation.

She could vaguely hear a nearby person rumbling their chassis quietly. With tears swimming in her eyes, she looked up to see Optimus' guilty and sympathetic look marring his old and weary faceplate.

"Miko...I'm so sorry." For once since arriving to earth, he felt utterly powerless on saying these three words that would not make any difference. And he was indeed correct when the little organic child forced her head down to face the floor.

"I-It's fine," she choked out.

Obviously it was not.

"Miko..."

She whipped her head and smiled forcefully as she dropped the pieces into the Prime's cupped servos that held the remaining parts of her guitar. "It's fine! Really! My fragging fault for leaving it out on the roof..."

Miko backed away and looked away as she swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

Optimus' tanks rolled violently inside him while his spark ached for the child. He didn't say a word as Miko cleared her eyes from the tears that she held in, not bothering to look at the Prime as she grabbed her phone and briefly scurried away from the children's corner and to the empty hallways of the base.

The Prime watched her for a moment before his optics downcasted to the broken bits of the acoustic guitar in his servos.

He straightened and walked over to the screen station, carefully setting the smashed parts onto the large table.

Optimus knew he wouldn't be able to fix it and he highly doubted that Ratchet would be able to do it either. He used a single digit to rummage through the broken debris of Miko's guitar, looking for any valuable parts that she could possibly use.

He was able to pluck out some of the tuning keys...maybe she could still use them.

The rest were far from being fixed, so he settled on just keeping the broken pieces there until he could think of a compromise...though he highly doubt there was one.

Miko didn't react with what the Prime expected, to which he was thankful but worried.

The teenager was obviously upset with the ordeal, and he expected for Miko to blame him for breaking it, but instead of blaming him...she blamed herself for leaving it on top of the base.

She clearly cared and cherished this guitar, so he didn't understand why she was blaming herself for it. Yes, she did leave it on the roof, and yes, her stuff was her responsibility...but this wasn't her doing...

Miko took great care on making sure her guitars were safe, clean and up to date. This...this was not her fault. This was his doing.

Optimus glanced at his enormous pedes, absentmindedly grimacing for its size.

Primus, he wished he had Arcee's pedes for once.

Optimus just can't catch a break, can he?

Please review and let me know what you think! :)

In all other news, I decided to open up a Tumblr account (under the same username- ADabOfBlessings) you can go on AO3 and look me up (Again, same username) and click on my profile and it will have a hyperlink to my Tumblr under the word Tumblr. Feel free to send me anything! Asks, headcannons, or scenarios!