Chapter Text
New Cybertron. That’s what they’d have to call it, since it wasn’t exactly what it used to be. Arcee wandered through the rubble, presumably checking for any remaining insecticons. The arena Megatron used to hone his bloody skills, the library Optimus frequented, the racetrack Arcee used to love. All there, but reduced to rubble.
A queasy pain sank over her spark. Not for Tailgate and Cliffjumper, for once. She didn’t know them very well before the war. But she had known Elita. Elita cheering at the races, Elita losing herself in old books, Elita standing blank-eyed outside the arena at night. She had felt ahead of time some of what was going to happen. Still, Arcee could remember her smiling, singing, training with them.
The city was quiet, so Arcee reached up to tap a code to her processor. She hesitated, then shut her eyes and made the swap.
When Arcee opened her eyes, she was awash in summery, sunshiny pink. A faint laugh bubbled from her spark, as well as mist in her optics. She wrapped her arms around herself, letting the ache soak out in quiet sobs. It was like being a young femme again, Elita pulling her into a hug as soon as she had arrived on earth.
There was a quiet shift to Arcee’s left. She jumped, though she didn’t expect an insecticon- The noise was too gentle. Heat rushed to her face when she looked up and saw- Optimus. His expression was neutral in the grey light, save for muted surprise in his optics.
Arcee blinked her optics clear. She quickly tapped to turn her colors back, but found her processor refusing to cooperate. “Sorry-” she said, voice coming out in a shell.
“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Optimus replied evenly.
“I…” What was she supposed to say? That it felt wrong to be soft? Or to be like Elita when she was gone?
Optimus rested a hand on her shoulder. His new form was heavier than the last one, but Arcee never heard him complain.
Then again, she thought with a faint laugh, Elita didn’t put up with complaints.
She met her friend’s optics, and he smiled. “Arcee. She would be honored.”