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Dinobot found himself at the Maximal Archives once again. He was playing the role of a young archivist, walking in on a scene of devastation. Every record in the archives had been destroyed, and every archivist before him torn to shreds. Dinobot continued on, wondering if he would happen upon a savage Predacon here.
He found a gray mech hunched in the far corner, tearing apart the last of the archivists. The mech turned to look at him, setting familiar red optics on him.
The optics of Optimus Primal.
Dinobot awoke with a start. He took in a few vents to calm his systems, and then sat up in bed. Moonlight flooded in from his window, basking everything in a silvery glow. It should have been a calming sight, but the unease failed to leave him.
He’d been having a similar nightmare for the past two nights, while Optimus had been recovering from his virus. The Darksyde Predacons had members that could make wicked viruses, but Dinobot couldn’t imagine one of them turning the Maximal captain into such a monster. The event was unsettling in a way that he had trouble fathoming. They were at risk of losing Optimus, in both mind and spirit. Having him transformed in such a way was worse than death.
Dinobot had watched over him the first night. Rhinox insisted on taking shifts throughout, but Dinobot was adamant on taking vigil the whole time. He had to be certain that the antidote worked, that Optimus was still… Optimus. But even with confirmation that he was, the worry didn’t go away, and Dinobot couldn’t figure out why.
All of that to say… that he’d been sleeping terribly as a result.
Dinobot sighed, getting up. He had to do something to make himself feel better. He could… he could check on Optimus. Yeah, he’d do that. It was one thing to know that he was okay, and it was another to see it for himself. Dinobot would check on Optimus, and that would help him stop worrying.
He walked down the hall to the captain’s quarters, surprised to find the door open. Dinobot peered inside, but he didn’t find anything alarming. Optimus was safely tucked in bed, sleeping peacefully. A data pad sat under one hand, as if he had been trying to read it earlier. The sight was oddly comforting, as if it were confirmation that Optimus was still the same learned mech as before. On closer inspection, Dinobot noticed a yellow mass tucked behind him- he guessed that it had to be Cheetor.
Dinobot hesitated for a moment, but then stepped into the room. If Cheetor was in here, then it couldn’t be wrong for Dinobot to walk in as well. He walked up to the bed, taking a closer look. Cheetor was in his beast mode, curled up into a ball, nestled into the nook that Optimus’s legs made. He too seemed deep asleep.
He wasn’t surprised that Cheetor came in. Out of all of the Maximals, the boy had been most worried about his captain’s well-being. Something about the sight gave Dinobot a twinge of pain in his spark, though. Had Cheetor invited himself here the past few nights? Had he been allowed to?
Was anyone else allowed to?
Was Dinobot allowed to come here all along?
Dinobot moved over to the front of the bed, setting his gaze on Optimus’s face. He looked quite peaceful right now. Dinobot knelt down beside the bed. Despite himself, he set his hand on the captain’s forehead, lightly stroking a finger along the seam of his helm.
“You really drive me nuts sometimes,” Dinobot snarked quietly, his optic shutters drooping. “But… It's good to see you like this. Here. Safe. Where you’re supposed to be. It’s good knowing that you’re safe.”
Dinobot closed his optics, continuing the motion until his own senses left him.
Optimus wasn’t sure what woke him up the next morning. Was it the sound of footsteps down the hall- or the feeling of claws on his cheek?
That sensation surely startled him into wakefulness. It took him a moment to realize that the claws were limp and unmoving, and not trying to kill him. Optimus moved them aside, and found their owner slumped against the side of the bed. Dinobot’s head lulled on his shoulder, his mouth agape with light snoring. He only looked away when Rhinox entered the room, staring at the visitor.
“You have an interesting menagerie in here,” Rhinox noted.
As if prompted by that statement, Cheetor climbed out of bed, stretching with a yawn. He turned around to look at Dinobot, and then brought his attention to Optimus.
“How are you feeling, Big Bot?”
Optimus sat up with a stretch. “A lot better than before. But let’s see what Rhinox’s prognosis is.”
Rhinox stepped forward, bringing a scanner up to Optimus. After a few minutes of gathering readings, he took it away, saying, “It looks like your vitals are back where they should be, Optimus. I’d suggest you go on a short patrol with someone today, just to make sure you don’t overdo it after recovering.”
Optimus nodded.
Cheetor transformed with a jump. “That’s great! I guess things are back to normal!”
The grown mechs both shushed him, gesturing to Dinobot. The mech shifted, slumping to the ground, but he didn’t wake up. It was odd seeing Dinobot in such deep slumber. Optimus knew that he often got up earlier than everyone else, so that gave the impression that such a state was usually rare.
“You two get up to the bridge,” Optimus said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Cheetor nodded, galloping out of the room, apparently oblivious to the mechs’ pleas for him to remain quiet. Optimus looked down as Dinobot curled up, drawing his tail over himself. It was quite an adorable look, actually. Optimus waited until Rhinox left the room, and then climbed out of bed to sit next to Dinobot.
He spent a good few minutes watching the mech sleep, noting the rise and fall of his frame. Optimus didn’t think the ground could be that comfortable, but this was the most relaxed he had ever seen Dinobot. He kind of hoped that Dinobot could have more moments like that.
Optimus looked outside his window, noting how blue the sky was getting. No matter how comfortable he was right now, Dinobot probably wouldn’t appreciate sleeping in. Optimus reached over and set his hand on the mech’s shoulder, gently shaking him.
“Hey,” Optimus said softly. “I think it’s about time to get up.”
Dinobot craned his head over to him, opening bleary optics. He sat up, seeming rather out of it as he scanned his surroundings. His optics lit up to wakefulness, and he quickly stood up in shock. Optimus got up, chuckling at him.
“Good morning” Optimus greeted him. “It seems like you slept well.”
Dinobot stared at him like a deer in the headlights. “What do you mean by that!? How could-? A… Ahem. It seems like you slept well as… well.”
Upon saying that, the bigger mech turned away, cursing himself. “ ‘Well as well’? Why did you phrase it like that?”
Optimus set his arms behind his back. “I didn’t expect you to visit me last night.”
“Yeah, well… I wasn’t planning on staying when I did.”
“I wouldn’t mind having you over again.”
Dinobot blinked at him. “Yeah?”
Optimus nodded. “My door’s always open to you. You don’t even have to say anything.”
Dinobot cleared his vocalizer. “I’ll uh… I’ll keep that in mind.”
The two of them walked out of the room together. Optimus smiled at Dinobot. He noted the bigger mech’s sheepish stance, convinced that Dinobot would indeed take the invitation tonight.