Work Text:
Optimus smiled softly as he watched Galvatron cling to Megatron, the little pup not wanting his father to go. The werefox couldn’t blame the Galvatron for his apprehension. For weeks, they had been talking about how dangerous a hunter’s trap was, and now Megatron and a few others were going to take down the ones they had found and search for more.
“Galvatron, I’ll be back in the morning,” Megatron said softly, “I promise.”
“But- But what if-” Galvatron started to say through sniffles.
“Your father won’t fall into a hunter’s trap,” Optimus said, “He’s too smart for that. And there are going to be others with him. If someone does get hurt, they’ll get them to Ratchet as fast as they can.”
“Can I go with you?” Galvatron whined as he clung tighter to Megatron’s leg.
“No you can’t,” Megatron said, “It’s too dangerous for you.”
“But what about you?” Galvatron asked.
“It’s my responsibility as the town’s protector,” Megatron said before crouching down to Galvatron’s eye level. “I know you want to go with me, but I need you to do an important job.”
“What job?” Galvatron said, looking at his father with tears in his eyes.
“I need you to keep the other kids and Optimus safe,” Megatron said, “incase one of the bad hunters comes back and tries to get in.”
“I can keep the others safe,” Galvatron said, rubbing the tears off of his eyes. “I’ll bite the ears off any hunter that tries to get in here.”
“And you can tell your dad about how you kept us safe when he comes back for breakfast in the morning,” Optimus said.
“Promise?” Galvatron asked.
“I promise,” Megatron said. Galvatron smiled and gave his dad a big hug before running off towards the living room where the other kids were gathering. When Galvatron had gone Megatron turned to Optimus. “Keep them safe.”
“I will,” Optimus said softly, “and be careful. These hunters feel different than the others.”
“We will,” Megatron said before he turned to leave. Optimus watched as he walked away in human form. When he couldn’t see the town leader anymore, Optimus turned to the kitchen to grab the movie snacks. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the kids rearranging the pillows, blankets, and beds. Cyclonus and Springer were on their perches, watching from above. The sight made Optimus smile. Grabbing two of the snack bowls, Optimus walked over to the couch.
“Have you guys decided on a movie?” Optimus asked as he set a bowl of popcorn on a table next to the couch.
“We should watch FernGully!” Galvatron said excitedly.
“No!” Hot Rod whined, “we should watch Land Before Time!”
“Which one?” Arcee asked.
“The first one!” Hot Rod said excitedly. Arcee and Springer nodded in agreement.
“The first movie isn’t like the other Land Before Time movies,” Cyclonus said as he transformed and landed on the couch.
“That’s why we should watch FernGully,” Galvatron said.
“Why don’t we vote on it, and the next time there’s a sleepover you can all watch the other movie?” Optimus said. The kids nodded and Springer transformed into his human form. “All for FernGully, raise your hand,” Optimus mentally noted that Galvatron and Cyclonus raised their hands. “All for Land Before Time?” Arcee, Hot Rod, and Springer raised their hands. “Okay Land Before Time it is.” Galvatron huffed with a pout before transforming into a wolf and curling into one of the beds.
“I’ll get the rest of the snacks and we can start the movie.” Optimus smiled as he got off the couch. Cyclonus transformed back into his hawk form and settled back on his perch. Arcee, Hot Rod, and Springer started moving around pillows and blankets for a small fort. Grabbing a bowl of popcorn and a plate of peanut butter crackers, Optimus made his way back to the couch. Hot Rod had grabbed one of the bowls of popcorn and he, Arcee, and Springer were eating it. With a laugh, Optimus placed a couple of peanut butter crackers in front of Galvatron. Grabbing a handful of popcorn, the werefox placed some in a little cup connected to the hawk’s perch.
“Come on dad!” Hot Rod whined as he looked back at his father, “play the movie!”
“I will,” Optimus said, “Everyone needs snacks first.” Rodi turned around and looked up at his father with big eyes.
“Can I have a peanut butter cracker?” Rodi asked with big eyes.
“Of course,” Optimus said as he walked over to his son and handed him, Arcee, and Springer some of the peanut butter crackers. As all the kids were getting settled, Optimus placed the vhs tape into the player. The opening trailers for other movies started to play as Optimus sat down on the couch.
_______
Optimus sighed as the credits started to roll, looking at the kids who had sprawled out all over the floor. Cyclonus had changed into his human form, and had curled around Galvatron who was still in his wolf form. Hot Rod, Arcee, and Springer were all splayed out in their little fort. He was tempted to wake them up, move them to a proper bed.
Getting up, the werefox started to gather the empty bowls. He could clean them up in the morning after Roddy wakes him up and he and Arcee decide to wake up the whole town. Right now he was too tired to do anything. As he got all the dirty bowls, he made his way to the sink. Optimus was careful to place the dirty bowls in the sink, as not to wake up any of the kids.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Optimus said softly, before heading off to bed.