Transformers Prime AU (Book 1) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Seventeen

The house was quiet for a moment as the father made breakfast and prepared lunch. It was the first day of school. Optimus didn't know how he felt about sending them off. He was especially nervous because the two youngest were starting. He sighed quietly and looked up as the two older ones came walking in.

They greeted him with their beautiful smiles and sat at the kitchen bar. He smiled a little and set breakfast in front of them. He listened as they told him about their plans on how to conquer the day. He never said a word, only listened and smiled as they talked. Optimus heard the school bus outside and his heart sank a little. He walked to the door and the two grabbed their backpacks.

"Bye dad!!" Arcee yelled as she ran to the open door. Optimus grabbed her backpack and pulled her back. He hugged her tightly then kissed her head. She smiled and ran out to the bus.

"See you after school." Bulkhead said as he hugged his father. Optimus smiled a little and kissed his head. He watched as the boy ran to the bus. He stood at the door until the vehicle disappeared.

Optimus walked back into the house and closed the door. He cleaned up their plates and quietly walked to the youngest boys room. He walked in and gently shook Smokescreens shoulder. The boy smiled in his sleep and stretched. Optimus smiled a little and rubbed his head.

"Time to get up." He whispered then crouched by the youngest. He rubbed his head and watched as the boy smiled in his sleep.

"Wake up little one." He said. The boy slowly opened his eyes and looked at him. Optimus smiled a little then left the room.

A few minutes later he was getting their breakfast on the plates when he heard Smokescreen run into the room and jump on one of the stools. He grinned at his father and quickly started eating.

"Are you excited for school?" Optimus asked as he ruffled the boys hair. Smokescreen only nodded and shoved more food in his mouth. Bumblebee came in slowly as he drug his bear along the ground. The father watched him sit by his brother and raised an eyebrow.

"Bumblebee...." he said gently as he gave him breakfast. "Why aren't you ready for school?" The little boy didn't respond as he hugged his bear tightly and started eating slowly.

Optimus looked at Smokescreen who was done. The boy jumped down to get his stuff. The father ruffled his sons hair and went back to cleaning up. Bee hugged his bear tightly and hardly touched his food. He jumped down after a few minutes and went to get dressed. The father sighed quietly as he finished getting their lunches ready. He heard Smokescreen running back into the living room. He raised an eyebrow when he saw him.

"Where's your shirt?" He asked. The boy looked at himself and poked his tummy.

"I'm showing off my muscles." He grinned and flexed his arms. Optimus smiled a little and crouched by him. The father gently poked his stomach causing the boy to giggle.

"Go get a shirt on Smokescreen. You can show me your muscles, but not the kids at school." He said. The boy scrunched up his face then walked back to his room. The father stood back up and gathered what they needed.

Later he finally got the boys ready and they stood out on the curb as they waited for the school bus. Smokescreen was talking excitedly about what he was going to do at school. Bumblebee held his father's hand tightly and leaned against his arm. The boy wanted to tell his father what was going through his mind. But he couldn't and he just stared ahead. The bus pulled up and Smokescreen laughed excitedly. He jumped up and down as he held his father's hand. Optimus smiled a little at his energetic son.

"See ya Dad!" Smokescreen grinned as he hugged his father and jumped on the bus.

Optimus smiled and looked down at Bee who hadn't moved. He furrowed his brow and shook his hand a little. Bumblebee still didn't move as he held his father's hand tightly. The bus driver sighed in exasperation and Optimus shot him a look. He crouched next to his son who finally looked at him. The boy rubbed his eye and sniffed sadly. Optimus grabbed his little shoulders as he thought about what to say.

"Bumblebee...." his father whispered softly. The little boy looked at him as tears formed. "Are you afraid to go to school?" He nodded and hung his head. Optimus smiled slightly and brushed his hair out of his face.

"I know you don't want to leave. But you'll learn so much and make friends." He said gently. His son just looked at him. "I promise I'll be here when you get back." Bumblebee hugged him tightly and squeezed his eyes shut. Optimus returned the embrace and held him for a moment. He let go and gave him a serious look.

"Be brave Bumblebee." Optimus said. The boy stared at his father for a moment then nodded.

Bee turned to the bus and sighed silently. He climbed the stairs and got on. Optimus smiled a little as he watched the bus drive away. His kids were growing up and it scared him a little.