dens_tf_den | Scattersverse, Autobot Base, Observations...

Bulkhead: *paces past behind the couch and looks at Optimus again, then paces on, looking upset and nervous*

Optimus: *Frowning. This isn't like Bulkhead* Is something bothering you, Bulkhead? *Concerned*

Bulkhead: *wince and duck* Uhhhh. I... gotta talk to you, Optimus.

Optimus: *Really concerned now, and a bit curious* Do you want to talk somewhere a bit more private?

Bulkhead: Uh... yeah, if it's okay. *fidget*

Optimus: *nods, and moves to guide Bulkhead to one of the rooms that, at one time, was an office. It's got a door that can close, so it's more private than most of the plant*

Bulkhead: *really restless and nervous and unhappy now*

Optimus: *concerned frown* Bulkhead...*closing the door behind the larger mech* You said you needed to talk to me about something?

Bulkhead: Yeah.... Yeah, I do. *bites fingertips* Um... you know how I spent most my time back on Cybertron... drunk?

Optimus: *nodding, and wondering what's going to be said next* Yeah...We were worried about you...

Bulkhead: *winces and looks ashamed* Well.... *more quietly* After about the tenth night... I wasn't at the bar.

Optimus: *frowns, and moves to put a concerned hand on Bulkhead's* What do you mean?

Bulkhead: *looks down, trying to muster the courage to talk past his shyness* I... girlfriend....

Optimus: *Surprised, but then he's smiling and patting Bulkhead's hand* Congratulations, Bulkhead. What's she like?

Bulkhead: She... she's a clerk at that big shipping place that was by where we were stayin'. Her name's Verdelite, 'n... she's a lady. But.... *looks down, blushing* She likes me... alot.

Optimus: *nodding* Well, she picked a good mech for a mechfriend. *means what he says*

Bulkhead: *blushing worse* *gruffly* ...Hauled me home when I was too drunk to even remember our first meeting....

Optimus: *patpat* At least you two didn't have paparazzi-bots and news-bots following your every move.

Bulkhead: Ahh, no. *glad for that as he realizes it, and that gladness shows. But then it fades to gloom* Um... I was wonderin'... if I could get some time off.... *very wistful big bot*

Optimus: *smiles* I think we can manage to hold the fort while you spend some time with Verdelite...

Bulkhead: *relief* Aw, thanks Bossbot!

Optimus: *nods, chuckling* You wouldn't happen to have an image of her, so I know who to keep Sunstreaker and Sideswipe away from, would you?

Bulkhead: *expression darkens, but he pulls out a little cube and very carefully presses on it. A little hologram pops into view... an average little pale green femme with a gently pretty but intelligent face and a loving smile for the one who was taking the capture*

Optimus: *nods, and pats Bulkhead's hand again* I'll make sure they stay away from her. Even if I have to duct tape them to the rafters.

Bulkhead: *gives his CO a startled look at hearing him say that*

Optimus: *moving to gently usher Bulkhead out the door* Don't worry about things here...your girlfriend knows you're coming to visit, right?

Bulkhead: I can let her know. Didn't wanna get her hopes up. *still giving Optimus a bemused look for the taping comment*

Optimus: *nods* Let her know...I bet she'll be glad to see you.

Bulkhead: Thanks, Bossbot! *heading toward the computer station as fast as it's safe for him to go when he's inside around smaller beings*

Optimus: *chuckles and heads out to check on the Aerialbots, who are now engrossed in playing a video game with Blaster and Jazz, while Ratchet keeps an optic on them*

First Aid: *follows him, coming from Bumblebee's room* //Optimus? Is Bulkhead alright?//

Optimus: //He's fine...he's going to be visiting a friend of his back on Cybertron for a few days, and wanted to make sure it was alright for him to do so.// *Won't say just what kind of friend Bulkhead's going to visit*

First Aid: *watches the green mech with her usual gentle concern, then turns back to the Prime and holds out her hand* //May I show you something?//

Optimus: *curious, takes First Aid's hand* //Sure...//

First Aid: *quick glance toward her wards herself, and then brings him to Bumblebee's slightly dusty and far too tidy room, where the little mech is curled in a nest of knitted blankets... and where Sari is snuggled against his back with her arms around his neck*

Optimus: *quiet chuckle* //Seems like we're not the only ones to become a couple...but I think...Professor Sumdac won't be too happy about this...//

First Aid: *softly* //I'm not sure he's going to be able to do anything about it.// *moves closer to him, her optics on the sleepers* //I've... noticed how Sari looks at him since before we went to Cybertron. He isn't so sure yet.//

Optimus: *arm around First Aid's waist* //Then...I guess...we'll just have to do our best to be supportive in any way we can...// *also watching the sleepers* //Bumblebee's been Sari's friend since we first woke up from our stasis...I'm not surprised that they've become fond of one another...//

First Aid: *looks up at him* //I'm... well, I'm also not sure it's fair of Ratchet and Professor Sumdac to think of Sari as an eight year old. She's one of us... and age doesn't really matter.//

Optimus: *nodding* //It's hard...we remember how young she seemed when we first met her...I still have days that I have to remind myself that she's a youngling...and that sooner than any of us were expecting, she's going to be an adult...and Bumblebee's in the same boat, so to speak...he's still technically a youngling, but not for much longer...//

First Aid: //He was old enough to be in the Autobot Academy, though.// *pauses and looks down as Bumblebee moves slightly and Sari murmurs to him and cuddles closer*

Optimus: *nodding again* //I wasn't much older than he was when I first went to the Academy...// *Quieter* //Age and appearance have nothing to do with maturity...I know several youngbots who have proven that time and again...//*gently nuzzles First Aid's helm*

First Aid: *looks up at this new gesture of affection, her optics grave as she nods.* //That's what I was saying.// *gentle hand on his side as she turns toward the door* //We should leave them alone. They would be so embarrassed if they woke up and saw us watching them.//

Optimus: *nods and moves to follow* //I hope things work out for the best with them...//

First Aid: *waits to give him her hand as he comes out, then walks beside him to the main room, her mind on a picture she'd found on the computer of Ratchet kissing Sharpshot. Then she stops as she sees her mentor standing at the beginning of the hall with one of Arcee's hands in his as he pats it gently*

Optimus: *stops and then he's smiling a bit* //I think...we'd better go a different way....//

First Aid: //The back door?// *turning to look toward the end of the hall*

Optimus: *nods and heads that way* //I'm glad they're getting along so well...//

First Aid: //Sometimes it seems like everyone is pairing up.//

Optimus: *nods* //Yeah...But is that really such a bad thing? I mean...Megatron's no longer able to rally his troops...and things here are peaceful...//

First Aid: *looks up at the colours of the sunset, which are colouring half the sky* So this is peace?

Optimus: If it's not...it's very close...

First Aid: *leans against him* *softly* I'm glad.

Optimus: *arm around First Aid's waist* *Quietly* Me too...

First Aid: *content to stand there silently, just being together, till it's time to return to the Aerialbots*

((co-written with

random_xtras))