Precipitous

Chapter 79-Verge

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Ultra Magnus knew he was witnessing a significant moment between Optimus and Rodimus, and he tried not to gape at his friends as they kissed. Petra brought him back to reality with a sharp whistle and series of clicks, glaring up at the mech holding her.

Magnus looked down at the sparkling, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Are you two finished?" he asked, one optic ridge raised.

Optimus and Hot Rod broke apart, but Optimus snaked his arm around the smaller mech's waist, pulling him close.

"You have the wrost timing ever," Hot Rod said, himself glaring at Magnus, matching the look on his daughter's face.

"I apologized for my interruption," Magnus said. "What else do you want?"

"More than five minutes alone with Optimus," Hot Rod snarked back.

Optimus decided a change of topic was necessary. "Magnus, Rodimus has agreed to bond with me," he said.

He didn't twitch, glitch, or otherwise malfunction. Instead, he smiled, hugging Optimus, careful not to squish the protesting sparkling in his grasp, and also quickly embraced Hot Rod.

"Congratulations," Magnus said. "I'm happy for you both."

"What, no lecture about breaking protocol?" Hot Rod asked.

"What's the point when I know you'll both ignore it?" Magnus said. "Besides, I'm not going to complain about Optimus making an honest mech out of you."

Hot Rod rolled his optics at the other mech.

"Don't fight, sparklings," Optimus said. "You're setting a bad example for Petra."

"Uh huh," Hot Rod said. "Ol' spit and polish never sets a bad example for anyone."

"That's not true," Optimus said. "I could tell you stories. . ."

"You wouldn't," Magnus said.

"Someday, I might," Optimus said.

"What stories?" Hot Rod asked.

"Stories not even Kup knows," Optimus said, nuzzling Hot Rod's helm.

"Thank Primus," Magnus muttered. "In all seriousness, in light of your announcement, I think the two of you might enjoy some time alone. Correct?"

The look passing between his friends was all the answer he needed.

"Perceptor and I could watch Petra. . .or if you don't trust us enough for that, I'll see if someone else could do it," he said.

"Are you sure you feel up to it?" Optimus asked.

Magnus glanced down at the sparkling, who was staring back, and she kicked him.

"We don't have to celebrate now," Hot Rod said, holding his arms out for his sparkling.

Magnus set Petra into her sire's arms, and she petted his hands as he let her go. "At least she agrees with me I'm not quite ready for that responsibility," he said. "Petra, you're a very wise femme already."

She clicked in what sounded like smug agreement. No, not like her sire at all. Her sire, who deserved just a little time off with Optimus, especially in light of their news. He quickly commed Kup, who agreed to come get the little femme.
"Hand her back," Magnus said. "I commed Kup, and he's going to take her for tonight. So go enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you, Magnus," Optimus said, quickly kissing Petra on her helm as Hot Rod gave her back to the other mech.

He simply nodded in return, watching as the two mechs headed outside.

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Still full dark, and Optimus did not check his chronometer. He was at the beach, lying on the sand, Rodimus in recharge, head pillowed on his chest. They had "celebrated," all right, going back to the site of many of their firsts together.

Though Rodimus was recharging, Optimus could still feel his presence in his mind and spark. Their interfacing had only served to strengthen the growing bond between them, but it wasn't complete yet. That it was there at all was a comfort, and a terrifying thought at the same time. A link between them besides the Matrix, a binding unbreakable except through death.

If they were lucky. A sobering thought, considering the joy he felt at the knowledge Rodimus said yes. Optimus didn't want to think about living through a broken bond. It was possible, just improbable. He'd died once already, and didn't plan on attempting it again anytime soon. Not when there was so much to live for.