Optimus walked down the corridor, wishing to return to his room and forget about the complete and utter mess he had made out of things. And to think he had such high hopes when he set off on his small venture earlier today.

Finding Elita-1 had been easy; the femme was spending some time in the common room, her legs crossed in a relaxed manner and her long fingers holding the cube of energon gently as she took small sips from it. And then, of course, he had sat next to her, waiting expectantly for her kiss while the mistletoe dangled from the wire over his head.

She just looked at him, blinked, then chuckled and swatted his shoulder, her optics flashing in a "You're silly" tease.

Optimus slapped his forehead and groaned before he could help it. He didn't want to admit it, but his pride had been severely hurt. He had tried to be romantic, but he hadn't taken under consideration that Elita didn't know anything about Earth or its customs. To her eyes, he was just being a big goof with some leaves hovering over his head.

In other words, he had made a complete fool of himself.

Bah! Feeling fed up, he stepped inside his room and threw himself on his berth. Realising that he still wore the mistletoe, he hastily removed it and discarded it on the floor with a loud huff before crossing his arms in a very uncharacteristic – for an Autobot leader – sulking manner. Deciding that some recharge would probably help him forget, he shut his optics and tried to relax.

That was easier said than done though. In fact, Optimus was still awake when the door to his dorm hissed open and he heard light footsteps approaching him. It didn't take a great mind to guess who it could be. There was currently only one in the Ark who could enter his room without having to press the call-button first.

Even so, Optimus didn't want to acknowledge Elita's presence right now. He would pretend he was recharging and that would be that.

"Optimus?"

"Yes?"

Optimus made a mental note to kick himself later.

She didn't speak at once. She just walked up to him, paused, then sat on the berth-side and placed a hand on his faceplate. The light clicking sound as his battle-mask was being removed made Optimus open his optics and stare at Elita. He gaped when he saw that the femme was regarding him fondly, the mistletoe now gracing her head.

"Moonracer and I had a little talk and she explained some things to me," she said, her digits tracing the smooth jaw that was revealed under the battle-mask. "And I do believe that, when you're on Earth, you should do what the Earthians do."

Optimus cupped her hand in his, his fingers - so used to pulling the trigger of his rifle by now – rubbing tenderly the strong pink knuckles. "That's not how the saying goes," he said softly, the beginnings of a knowing smile tugging on his lips.

She snorted, very much like the way she did when she was just a girl without the burden of war on her shoulders, and a smirk formed on her lips. "Give me some credit; I'm still learning," she replied, not sounding as indignant as she probably would have liked.

"But learning fast, nonetheless," Optimus said in a husky tone, already pulling her down for a kiss.

Moments later, the mistletoe was discarded on the floor a second time; and the two lovers forgot about duty, and were just Orion and Ariel again.

The End.