War Bonds (ON HIATUS)

Chapter 12: The aftermath

It all happened so fast. Bumblebee was escorted to an Autobot triage facility not too far away, so were also numerous of other wounded Autobots. But neither did she care about the others. Her spark had sunken to its lowest point. She felt like if she was trapped in a box, with no space to move and no one she could express her feelings too. That's how it felt anyways. Optimus tried to calm his adopted sparkling down, but all his efforts were going no-where, but still tried his best to console her, but he knew that he couldn't do it as well as his sparkmate could, or Bumblebee for instance. He remembered how desperate Elita was for a youngling of her own, but the war had other plans. They never got the chance to be just regular Cybertronians. Neither could anyone.

Optimus remembered that particular day. He, Orion, and Elita, who back then was known as Ariel, were in their early sparkmatehood. They were just walking down the street on a peaceful sunny day, servos clasped together. They had no clear destination in mind as they walked. Both were just content with the moment they had together. They soon came to the entrance of the replica of the Helix gardens in Praxus. One look was all it took to know that they both wanted to enter. They both had been there multiple times, but the effects were still as breathtaking as the first time, even better when they were there together.

This place was a very meaningful place for both of them. It was here, he had asked her to be his sparkmate, that was also the first time Ariel ever been there. Every time they returned there, they could see the scene before them. It was impossible for them to not express delight while being there.

They found a small spot in the gardens where many other fold stopped to socialize. They both sat down on bench that overlooked the crystal trees and flowers of the gardens. Orion's arms remained around Ariel who was snuggled against his side. They just watched other Cybertronians mingle about, both relaxed and at ease in each other's presence.

As a carrier, pushing her sparkling carriage, passed the couple, Orion could feel how Ariel clambered herself unto his arm. He caught her staring at the carrier and it's sparkling, and could feel her excitement and glee through their spark-bond. He knew what she was thinking, he knew what she wanted, but he couldn't hesitate to ask anyway;

"What are you looking at?" He cooed at her side.

She didn't answer, only nuzzled closer to him. She tilted her head up to meet his optics, and gave him the "You know" look. But of course, she knew that he could feel what she felt. At this, Orion pulled her closer to him, but it was a little impossible, as they were literally pressed against each other, but they didn't care one bit. Ariel gently rested her helm on Orion's shoulder plate, and he then rested his on top of hers.

"One day, one day" He reassured her.

But as the war came, it was not possible. He had promised that one day, one day, they would have a sparkling of their own. But he couldn't keep that promise. All because of Megatron's treachery. But deep down inside him, it felt like it was his fault. He knew what Megatron wanted, he had told him plenty of times, and he was more than willing to help him achieve his goal. But when he presented his thoughts of a just society to the high council, he couldn't stop himself from telling them his point of view. His intention wasn't to captivate the council's attention, but Megatronus' speech wasn't really what he thought was just, and he just wanted to fill up and help him. But everyone knows how that finished.

Optimus knew that Megatron was deeply offended and hurt because of him, and that turned out into bitter anger, and he took it out on everyone around him that wasn't with him. As he did to Bumblebee.

Optimus came back to reality. He was currently starring at a wall as he became aware of his surroundings.

"Optimus sir," A voice he recognized spoke from behind him.