Transformers Prime AU (Book 1) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter One

Thunder rumbled as the sky darkened. Lightning split the sky and a man looked towards it. He sighed quietly as it started to rain. He looked at his watch and silently wished he had brought the car. The bus was late again. He sat on the bench and hugged his coat tightly as he started to shiver. He wondered if it would be faster to walk home. He smiled a little when he thought about his small family.

Lightning split the sky again and he looked up as it rained harder. He sighed again and hugged himself as he shivered some more. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. He was so tired.

A half hour later he was awakened by the sound of an engine. He groggily opened his eyes and saw the bus pull up. The man slowly got up and got on. The driver greeted him cheerfully and he simply nodded once, before sitting down. He tried to remain awake as the bus drove down the street. A little later the bus stopped and he slowly got off. It was raining harder as he walked towards his neighborhood. He sighed again and hugged himself as he shivered from the cold. The man hoped he didn't get sick. He looked up when he saw his house and smiled a little. The man drug his feet as he walked up the steps and opened the door.

"Daddy's home!!" He heard some little voices cheer. He smiled a little and hung his soaking wet coat up. He drug his feet as he walked to the couch and sat down. He sighed happily as he felt the warmth of his home. He leaned back as he rested his head against the couch and closed his eyes.

A minute later, he felt two slender hands touch either side of his face. He slowly opened his eyes to see bright blue ones. The woman smiled down at him and he smiled a little.

"Elita." He greeted tiredly. She smiled, leaned down and kissed him.

"You're soaking wet, Optimus." She said as she smiled.

"Hmm....." he grunted tiredly as he closed his eyes. She fiddled with his wet hair for a moment and kissed his forehead.

"I have dinner done when you're ready." She said. He nodded slowly and looked at her. "Take your time." She said and ruffled his hair before she got up and walked away. He sighed slowly and closed his eyes as he listened to the children play in the other room.

After a few minutes, he heard the pitter patter of little feet. He opened an eye and saw a little boy with blonde hair and big blue eyes. He had a big blanket wrapped around him and dragging along the floor. The little boy looked up at him shyly. Optimus raised an eyebrow as he looked at him. The little boy climbed on the couch and snuggled up to him.

"Are you cold daddy?" He asked as he looked up at him. The father smiled a little as the boy gave him part of the blanket. He spread it across his lap as the little boy smiled.

"Thank you Bumblebee." He said and ruffled the boys hair.

"Dad!" A little redhead boy yelled. He jumped on his fathers lap.

"Oof!" The man grunted as the wind was knocked out of him. The boy hugged him around the neck and squeezed. He grinned as he let go and looked at him. Optimus put one hand on his back to keep him from falling.

"I didn't get into trouble today." He whispered quietly as he smiled. Optimus smiled and poked his nose with his finger.

"I'll have to ask your mother about that, Smokescreen." He whispered back. The boy blushed and sat on his other side as he drew circles in his jacket.

Elita finished getting dinner on the table as Arcee sat on the counter talking to her. Bulkhead had gone to his friends house and said he'd be back later. She just hoped he didn't blow anything up again.

"So then I punched him in the nose and told him he was stupid." Arcee said as she smirked. Elita turned her attention back to her daughter.

"Why did you punch him again?" She asked calmly as she worked.

"I told you." She huffed and folded her arms. "He told me I hit like a girl, so I proved him wrong." She grumbled. Elita smiled and rubbed her head.

"Don't you think Cliff was just teasing you?" She asked. Arcee huffed again and glared at the floor.

"He's still an idiot." The girl muttered. Her mother smiled again.

"He'll get over it." She said. "Now let's eat." Arcee huffed again and went to the table.

Elita walked to the living room and smiled. Optimus was asleep on the couch with Bumblebee and Smokescreen sleeping on either side of him. He had an arm around each boy as they slept. Elita walked behind the couch and gently kissed her husbands forehead. He inhaled slowly as he shifted. Optimus opened his eyes tiredly and smiled at her.

"Hey sleepyhead." She whispered as she rubbed his cheek with her thumb. He furrowed his brow as if he wasn't aware he had been asleep. She laughed quietly at his confusion.

"You work too hard." She mumbled as she smiled. He nodded slowly in agreement as his eyes closed again.

"Come on." She said as she ruffled his hair. "Let's get you to bed." He shifted and looked at the two boys. Optimus smiled tiredly and rubbed their heads. The two boys looked up and stretched as they yawned. They smiled up at him and scampered down, before running to the table.

"I wish I had their energy." Elita said as she watched them.

"Agreed." Optimus said as he smiled at her. Elita laughed a little and kissed him before going back to the kitchen.