Transformers Prime AU (Book 1) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Thirty Two

Years later.

The Decepticons had grown at an alarming rate. They had recruited kids from the high school after graduation and put them through tests. The threat was becoming worse and the police in turn were doing everything they could to fight back.

Ironhide had disappeared for a very long and uncomfortable amount of time. He wasn't heard from for awhile and the station got concerned for his safety. The man showed up a year later, and said the cons had a plan to gain control of the city. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to get close enough to find out. He explained that only Megatron and a few others knew about the plan. He was gone for so long because they had been suspicious of him.

During that time the kids had grown up and graduated high school. Bulkhead ended up joining the army in his last year. Mostly just to help Wheeljack stay in, who ended up going because he got in trouble for almost blowing up the school. The two of them had to leave home for a little while. Optimus was a little upset that his oldest son had to leave. He knew the others would follow shortly after.

Arcee got a job at an office, but that didn't last long. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do and ended up being a bounty hunter. She found it more thrilling and Cliffjumper became her partner in crime. The two had started dating each other through the years.

Smokescreen and Bumblebee joined the police force, much to Optimus' dismay. He had tried to keep his children out of harms way, but they were grown now. Making their own decisions. They still lived at the house and he was grateful for that. He didn't know what would happen if they left.

One day they were all home for once, except Bulkhead who was across the ocean. Optimus was worried about his son but knew he'd be alright. He was with Wheeljack, his best friend. That actually didn't comfort him. He sighed quietly and sat at the table as he started to read. He had to wear reading glasses now and it made him feel old.

Smokescreen and Bumblebee came into the room an hour later. It was Saturday and surprisingly they both had the day off. Arcee was still out, she had a late night trying to track someone down. Smokescreen looked at his father and stopped suddenly.

"Dad... what are you doing?" He asked as he furrowed his brow. Bumblebee cocked his head trying to see what he was reading. Optimus looked at them and furrowed his brow.

"Taking a break from work and life. Am I not allowed to do that?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow. Smokescreen put his hands up defensively.

"What? No... I mean yes." He said as he smiled slightly. "It's just a rare sight to see you... I don't know relaxed." He said as he sat by him. He reached for an Oreo that Optimus had set by him, to snack on while he read. He gently smacked Smokescreen's hand.

"Those are mine." He said as he smiled slightly and went back to reading. Bumblebee smiled mischievously and reached for a cookie. Optimus slapped his hand without looking away from his book. His son smiled and managed to catch the title of the book. He looked at his brother.

*Narnia and Oreos.* he signed as he grinned crookedly. Smokescreen chuckled quietly and they decided to leave their father alone. Optimus smiled ever so slightly and ate another cookie.

As the day progressed Arcee finally woke up and decided to just be lazy. She didn't bother getting dressed out of her pajamas and just wanted to do nothing. Smokescreen and Bumblebee joined her on the couch as they watched Netflix. Optimus smiled slightly as he watched his children. He was proud of them, proud of what they had become.

A little later Arcee got a text and she looked at it. Smokescreen and Bumblebee smiled mischievously at each other and looked over her shoulder. She sat between them. She smiled as she texted back telling the person she was ready to go now. They knew who it was, the only boy she ever liked. Cliffjumper.

"Do you always lie to him?" Smokescreen teased as he smiled mischievously. She looked at him and glared.

"Shut up." She muttered and pushed them both away before taking off. The two boys smiled at each other and high fived.

"What do you say we interrogate him when he gets here?" Smokescreen asked quietly as he smiled mischievously. Bumblebee grinned and nodded. They loved to tease her about dating her partner.

"Boys." Optimus warned without looking up. "Don't tease your sister about this." He said seriously.

"Aw come on Dad." He groaned as he flopped on the couch and folded his arms. Bee smiled and walked off.

A half hour later there was a knock on the door and the boys grinned mischievously. Bumblebee went to the door and quickly opened it. Cliffjumper looked at him and smiled cockily.

"Hey Bee. Is Arcee still around?" He asked as he walked in. Bumblebee smiled mischievously and shrugged.

"Don't you dare say anything!" Arcee yelled from the other room. Cliffjumper couldn't help but laugh. Smokescreen smiled and shook his head as his sister walked in.

She realized she had yelled at Bee and felt bad. Bumblebee laughed silently and hugged her tightly, telling her it was okay. She punched Smokescreen's arm and then hugged Optimus before leaving the house.

"Don't kiss my sister!" Smokescreen shouted as he grinned. The two boys snickered.

"Shut up Smokescreen!!" Arcee yelled angrily as Cliffjumper laughed hysterically. Optimus couldn't help but chuckle quietly as he read his book.

It was nice to have the children all home for once. Well almost all. He put his book down and sighed quietly. Bulkhead had gone to Japan a few days before a hurricane hit. Optimus hadn't heard from anyone out there in almost a week. He didn't want to think about what might have happened to him. But it was hard to focus on other things when one of his children was possibly hurt. Or worse.

Optimus shook his head and rubbed his face tiredly. He couldn't let himself think that way. Bulkhead was fine, he had to be. The father sighed quietly and walked off to do something else. He needed to get his mind off of it. Smokescreen and Bumblebee were outside talking about what they were going to do that day. Optimus smiled slightly and quietly joined them. Just being with his children seemed to help him feel better.