Chapter Text
Orion Pax would say he worked hard for his family. Or rather lack of, some time ago now his only love Ariel had come to pass. Not without gifting Orion the greatest gift he could imagine. Their son.
Orion loved the boy, he was as cheerful and bright as the sun, no one could resist the charm that was Bumblebee. Every person who came in contact with Bumblebee commented on his personality. Though for Orion, he could always see his lover through his son.
However soon was a new chapter to come in Orion and Bumblebees life. They had to move City, going from Kaon to Iacon. And for Bumblebee, the beginning of his school journey.
----‐------------------------------------------------------------------------
Orion groaned as his alarm went off, hand coming to slap the small clock so it's persistent ringing would stop. Today was a new day. A very important day.
He sat up in bed, giving himself a few minutes before we had to get up and go find his son. Bumblebee was always am early riser, but he had a feeling today would be tougher on the kid. He had been anxious about moving, he was afraid no one would like him here.
Eventually Orion had found it in himself to get out of bed. It was also a big day for himself. He was to begin his new job with the Iacon Police Department. He was to be part of an undercover unit, and he was asked to presume the name Optimus Prime while on duty. It seemed rather flashy to him, but he needed the job.
For the beginning of his sons life, when Ariel was still with them, she had been the breadwinner, she was on her way to becoming a key part of her districts police force. While Orion stayed home with Bumblebee, teaching him how to read and giving him all his attention.
It was strange that he was now in the position Ariel once was. She even had a fake name. Elita-One.
How these departments thought these names sounded anything like the real deal was above him.
Orion finally got out of bed and dressed. His uniform was rather flattering on him, the black combat outfit fit him in all the right places. He was sure to have men and women alike drooling all over him.
Eventually he made it down the hall to his sons room. Boxes from moving still struen around the place. He knocked on Bumblebees door. "Sweetheart are you up?" His voice was gentle and comforting, he knew his son would need the extra encouragement today.
He cracked the door open and was quickly bombarded with the yellow colour scheme of his sons room. His first objective after they moved was to make sure his son had a room set up, even if his own space was neglected.
He could see toys across the floor. Bumblebee, true to his namesake loved the small flying insect, he wanted to be one when he was older. Orion should know, his son wouldn't be anything else for Halloween.
"Bumblebee, are you up?"
His comment was left with no reply. Sighing he walked further into the room.
However he was met with an empty bed, his heart immediately pounded within his chest. Had something happened to his son in the night?
Quickly his worries were quieted by a sound coming from his sons wardrobe. Orion was very sure he knew what caused it.
Picking up one of his sons Bee plushes he made his way over to the wardrobe and cracked it open just enough for his hand and the plush to fit.
Despite his own embarrassment he put on a voice as he spoke through the Bee.
"Bumblebee, why don't you come out and get ready with your dad hmm?"
Faint giggles could be heard from his son, who replied back. "I don't want to go today. I'm not ready, I wanna stay with daddy."
Orion felt his heart break at the statement. He didn't know how he was going to manage this without Ariel.
Though he had to put a brave face on. He opened the wardrobe wider so he could get a good look at Bumblebee.
The younger was still dressed in his pyjamas. Black and yellow stripes decorating the five year old. His hair messy and displaced.
Orion picked up his son and placed him on his lap, hugging him closely. "It's okay to be scared little spark. I'm scared too." Im truth he was, he had no idea how he was going to manage this job, not with Bumblebee so young.
"Really?" His son asked with curiosity.
"Of course, it's a part of life, but I know you're going to have such good fun today. It will be nice to make friends." Orion hummed.
"Can they come over to play one day?" Bumblebee perked up.
"Whenever you like sweetheart." Orion replied
Apparently that was the right thing to say as Bumblebee was immediately up and out of his father's lap, pulling him with his much smaller hands in the direction of the kitchen.
Orion sighed happily, some anxiety being lifted from his chest. Today was going to go better than he thought.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakfast was a quick affair. Though Bumblebee almost choked several times with the speed at which he was inhaling his cereal, giving his father more than enough heart attacks for one morning.
"Dad dad cmon! We need to go!" Bumblebee jumped up and down at the door as he watched his father dart around the house making sure they were both ready.
Getting Bumblebee dressed was easy, the kid only had one criteria for his clothes and that was loud bright colours.
His shoes however were a different story. No matter what kind Orion bought, Bumblebee would runaway from him every time he tried to get them on.
"Bee please, I'm going as fast as I can." Orion replied as he grabbed his own bag, and the one belonging to his son.
"Not fast enough! you're super slow! like those big lorries."
Orion huffed, his son had come to compare him to the haulers they would see when they lived in Kaon.
"And you're just like a racecar, slow down there kiddo, or you'll blow your engines."
Laughter filled the household. The pair had finally made it out the door in record timing, perhaps they would make this a habit.
Orion helped buckle his son into his car seat, no matter how much Bumblebee persisted he was a big boy and could go without one.
Several years ago Orion used to trail around in a dingy old truck, however when he met Ariel and then later had Bumblebee he had to resort to something simpler, something more familial.
As Orion get himself into the car he looked in the mirror to look at Bumblebee, all he could see was the spitting image of Ariel, how he wishes she could be here to witness her sons first day at school.
The car journey was slow, they had plenty time to waste as they would definitely get to Bumblebees new school before the bell. He had chosen Autobot Primary as his first choice for his son as he knew Ariel would have wanted that. She had gone there many many years ago.
However Orion knew nothing of the area, but he had to admit it was nice. He could raise his son here.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pair pulled up to the school and saw the car park relatively empty, aside from the cars that would belong to the teachers. He didn't know much about Bumblebees teacher to be. The process of getting his son enrolled was a spur of the moment decision, so he had been too late to meet with the staff he would be leaving his son with.
Ariel probably would have smacked his head in for that one.
Orion got himself and his son out the car before walking upto the main entrance, where they could see the main office. That would be a good place to start.
Bumblebee seemed infatuated with the building, it was bright and colourful, and so big for such a small boy. He waved at the lady waiting at the front desk.
The wave had gotten her attention, and Orion was secretly thankful he didn't have to tap the glass and startle her.
"Ah hello there, is there something I can help you with?" The lady asked.
"Yes actually, my son is starting school today and we've get here a tad early. Is there any chance his teacher can come meet him?" Orion felt a little bad asking for such a thing, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
"Of course, if you just hold on for one moment I'll give him a call." The lady smiled and turned to make her call.
While she was doing that, Orion turned to his son and bent down on one knee to get to his height.
"Right then kiddo, you're going to be just fine in there, you're my brave little boy right?"
Bumblebee nodded rapidly in return. Of course he was going to be the bravest kid around.
Orion smiled, using a hand to wipe at his face, he had heard it could be hard for parents to say goodbye to their little one on their first days, but it felt worse in the moment.
However his tears were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
He looked up and saw the man who would be his sons teacher. Orion breath hitched.
Everything about this man infront of his was ethereal. The way his hair was pulled back into a short ponytail all the way to his bright orange cardigan.
The man smiled upon seeing Bumblebee, despite his previous sour look. "Why hello there, I'm Ratchet, and who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"
Bumblebee hid behind his dad, words not coming to him.
Orion quickly stepped up to fill the silence. "This is my son Bumblebee, I believe he is in your class?"
Ratchet nodded. "I believe that is the case." He extended his hand out to the younger boy. While looking at Orion. "Im Ratchet, and you are?"
"Orion... Orion Pax."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, you don't get many new faces in this part of Iacon, so it's a welcome change. I'm sure we will get to know each other well Orion." Ratchet spoke softly before diverting his attention back on Bumblebee.
"Would you like to come see where you'll be sitting?"
Bumblebee nodded and took Ratchets hand, turning to wave goodbye to his father as they walked off.
"Bye dad!" He shouted as Ratchet laughed.
"Goodbye Bee! Behave please!" Orion shouted back, a smile on his face. He could leave his son with this man, it just felt right.
However he didn't have time to stay. He had the first day of a new job to attend.