Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Optimus awoke on the day that he was kicked out of the Academy aka the day that he, Sentinel, and Elita One as cadets decided to go to Archa 7. The Decepticon ship, the spiders, the betrayal. Back then, Optimus would have gone along due to peer pressure. Now he was against it, he knew better. He knew what it would bring. "Sentinel that is a bad idea. I'm not going. Organic planets are off limits for a reason. I'm staying at the Academy. You can go." Optimus stated coldly. Sentinel was shocked, "You chicken? He's scared. We will go and have enough energon for a lifetime!" Elita One nodded. "Well Optimus, enjoy staying behind!"

It had been a few hours and Optimus was just reading on a datapad. He knew what was going on. Sentinel and Elita One had stolen the ship and gone to the planet. Optimus exhaled. He was exhausted and he looked at the time. He knew that when he lived this the first time through they came back when everyone was going to class and they argued. Now he wasn't going to fight with Sentinel. He had warned them, now Sentinel is going to fall because of his ego. Optimus looked at the time. He went to his next class. He avoided 'bots that were sour. Infact, he talked to Rodimus more. He realized how nice he actually was. Optimus knew soon Sentinel would come back and be traumatized but he wouldn't throw Optimus under the bridge because he wasn't there. He looked at the clock. Time for class.

Class was boring per usual. He actually knew this subject and just kept his mouth shut. He knew Geometry already. He looked at the clock and yes! Five minutes left! He was in his quarters and decided to comm Sentinel... No response. He realized Sentinel was on his way back but this time- Optimus didn't lie for him. Optimus watched as he was lectured and Sentinel came to their dorm and Optimus looked at Sentinel and pretended not to know what happened to Elita One. "Sentinel, where's Elita? You-" Sentinel interrupted him and stated that "I'm exhausted. Please be quiet."

Optimus respected that. Optimus smiled.

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Optimus saw as Sentinel shook in fear and then Sentinel looked at Optimus and said "WHY DIDN'T YOU COME?!?! Why didn't you stop us?". Optimus looked at Sentinel. "I warned you. You did it anyway. That's not my fault. That's yours. I said not to go." Optimus sighed. He looked at Sentinel. "I have class. Okay? I will meet you there. You coming? Or are you not?" Optimus knew damn well that Sentinel couldn't come. He was suspended then after a week was going to be put on trial. "Sentinel?" Optimus asked and then he walked away. He walked to class and he stepped in and the teachers handed him all of Sentinel's work and said to give it to him. Optimus did. Sentinel was panicking. "Sentinel. I got your work. Also Ultra Magnus asked for you. I was summoned there as well."

They walked in silence. The first time around, Optimus would have been terrified but this trial wasn't for him. It wasn't for him. The hammer thud and the stern/angry look wasn't for him. He reminded himself it wasn't for him. He got to watch as Sentinel was expelled and Ultra Magnus said "Sentinel, you could have become a great soilder, or even the next Magnus but it seems it is not in your programming." Optimus remembered how those words destroyed him when he was told that now he kinda felt bad. But when Sentinel pinned it on Optimus, he looked at him. "Silence Cadet Sentinel. Pack your room and leave. Cadet Optimus I would like to speak with you."

Optimus nodded Sentinel left the courtroom crying and upset. Ultra Magnus explained that he was so proud to see the next Autobot generation doing well. After being praised he was sent back.Optimus saw how empty the room felt without Sentinel. He walked around the other half. Optimus did pay for the room. So he could get more things! He could make it more cozy!

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Optimus looked around. School was out for the week. He could go and party but he chose to decorate his room. It was now only one person. He did like the space now. He cleaned it out. It looked better now but since he was alone he put on headphones and studied. He was happier now. He decided to call Sentinel. No answer. Optimus was calmer. Optimus thought about his former team. What would they be like for Sentinel? Who is he kidding? They wouldn't see Sentinel until they all did something. Since Bumblebee and Bulkhead were not in boot camp yet, Optimus would be the one to teach them. Optimus focused on now. He finished.

Optimus found some of Elita's friends. Optimus walked up to them and said hello. Just saying hi he hoped they would feel better. Optimus was walking around Cybertron. He looked in his datapad and he texted Sentinel and no response. He spoke to other kids. He felt much better. He realized that he was in a toxic friendship. He was much happier than when he was friends with Sentinel. Optimus just talked with the others and stated how he felt. "well it's 5 pm gotta go!" They waved goodbye and Optimus was happier. He walked into the dorm and expected Sentinel to be drunk or talking about a party. It was quiet... Very quiet.

He remembered that Sentinel was gone. Probably going through a trial. He hoped Blackarachnia was doing better. He remembered the others and smiled. He had good grades but he was exhausted. He was used to Sentinel being loud. He never thought he would miss those distractions Optimus was listening to music and reading a book. A history book. He wanted to learn still. He knew what organics were. He didn't want to cure Elita One. He didn't think she needed curing. The spider form was badass. But Optimus never said anything. He soon fell into recharge. Some kids were throwing a party but Optimus declined and said he would rather be preparing for a internship. Most kids said okay. They knew Optimus was a good kid. Optimus smiled and liked being left alone. Rodimus sat next to him and they talked and never shut up. He smiled. Optimus spoke back. "Optimus, do you ever wonder what happened to Sentinel? What did he do to even deserve to be expelled?" Optimus looked at him. "I heard that Sentinel went to an organic planet and got someone killed!" Optimus stated.

After him and Rodimus hung out... Rodimus hugged Optimus and walked away. He smiled. Optimus was enjoying his break when he finally got a text from Sentinel. He was pissed and drunk. Optimus wasn't scared until Sentinel threatened him. Optimus immediately took the threat seriously. Very seriously.

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Optimus smiled anytime him and Rodimus hung out. He remembered Sentinel's threat. He told Rodimus. And he and Rodimus hooked up. The smell of his cologne, the feeling of his lips and how he was in berth- oh?! Optimus was a virgin before. Rodimus didn't use his spike. Optimus wanted to be the bottom.he enjoyed the feeling of Rodimus and he moaned. That's when a drunk Sentinel busted in and attacked Optimus. Sentinel was pinned down by cops and Rodimus comforted Optimus and Alpha Trion looked at Ultra Magnus and saw how happy Optimus was with Rodimus.

The week after, Optimus was caught making out with Rodimus and Rodimus pinned him down. "Optimus... You feel so great... I wonder if your valve feels the same... So nice.." Optimus kissed him deeper. Optimus was happier and he smiled. His grades were well and he was happy. Graduation was coming up and a few cadets were pregnant after a frat party..he didn't go. He was in his dorm snuggled up and reading. It had been four years since he talked to Sentinel. Optimus was getting ready to graduate.

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Optimus was keeping track of the time. He looked at the wall. He was frustrated, he was trying to stay calm. He smiled. He would be fixing space bridge or waiting for that assignment. Optimus looked at the room. He hoped he would graduate with his friends but.... Sentinel's ego had gotten the better of them both. Elita One didn't deserve that. He looked in the mirror. He saw himself but.. he calmed down. He was smiling.

Rodimus went to get Optimus. Optimus smiled and stated, "Just nervous. Just nervous. Really. I'm just nervous." Rodimus smiled and hugged his best friend. Optimus laughed happily. Optimus was walking down and watched as Ultra Magnus spoke. He smiled happily. He was now in the Elite Guard. He smiled. He decided to call Sentinel but no response. He saw Sentinel in the crowd. Unhappy. Optimus smiled. He was happy. He could finally think of his future. His future. His choice. He walked through the academy doors one last time. He looked at the empty room and saw as the new kids looked scared and he said, "Don't be. It will be the best 4 years of your life." They smiled. Optimus calmed down and walked out.

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Optimus laid on his new bed and enjoyed the view of Iacon. He walked through the new neighborhood. He walked past everything and saw how much new it felt. He ran into Bumblebee.... He was holding a packet . The same one he got when he joined the academy. Looks like Bee made it in.

Optimus walked past a few bots and was ordered to teach some new recruits. Each day he did. They were loyal and kind. Ironhide and the others were good Autobots. Optimus smiled happily. He tried calling Sentinel again. Optimus knew the fate of Elita- or better yet- Blackarachnia. He walked around. He was respected. Is this how Sentinel used to feel? Sentinel. Sentinel Prime. Well... He wasn't a 'Prime'. If Sentinel used to call him rude and crude names like, 'Maintenance Prime', what could Optimus call him now? Sentinel called them Janitors- wait. He thought even more... Why would he hurt him the way he hurt him? It would make him no better. Optimus was getting promoted left and right. Than while interrogating a Decepticon- he learned that Sentinel had Ratchet on his team. Ratchet. Good ol Ratchet. Optimus was walking around and he swore he saw Prowl walking with Jazz. Prowl? PROWL?!?! BUT... BUT... he remembered he traveled back in time. Prowl didn't know him. And Jazz was an Elite Guard member. He remembered Prowl's death. He was in his home. Just being quiet. He knew where the camera's were and how to find em. 

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Optimus knew that Ultra Magnus was watching him. Ultra Magnus was worried about a spy. But he was looking in the wrong place. Optimus knew Longarm was the spy. Optimus hadn't seen him yet and he just watched the news. He looked at the camera on the TV. He knew Ultra Magnus could see him.

  He scrolled on his datapad, he also spoke to Rodimus. "Did ya hear? Sentinel was given another chance! He's training recruits in the boot camp!" Optimus listened to the conversation, keeping an optic out. He was still scared of spiders but he hadn't seen them yet- he was never on Earth. He wondered how Sari would do, how would she do? What would his team do? What would happen?

  He wanted to know a answer but didn't know how to get it. He also wondered if he was crushing on Rodimus- Rodimus was a nice mecha, but he didn't know him before. "Rodimus, where did you hear this from? A cadet?" Optimus asked, his faith in Sentinel wavering. "From Sentinel himself! If anyone gets expelled he's becoming a Space bridge technician!".

   Optimus froze. He knew what was going to happen. What would he do? Should he let Bumblebee and Bulkhead be expelled? Or should he pull strings to help them. He realized... He shouldn't. He knows what's it's like to not be given a choice, hence the whole time traveling thing.

  So he decided not to. He wanted them to make their own choices. He let them. After all, every sentient being deserves a chance at freedom. He saw Sentinel, trying to save what's left of his ego, and his dignity. Optimus remained calm and friendly. "So Sentinel, how are you doing? You okay?" Sentinel gave a snappy comeback and Optimus let him.

  Optimus looked at him and smiled calmly. "Sentinel... I hope you do well." He cannot force friendship but will reach out to check on him. Making sure he's okay. He wants the best for Sentinel.

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Optimus and Sentinel just look at each other. One day close friends and the next barely even friends. Optimus remembered what should have happened. What could have happened. But Sentinel doesn't have those memories. He doesn't have those memories, but he does and he watched Sentinel.... Not used to this, he's used to the loud arrogant second in command, not this quiet mech who has to train cadets to NOT become a Space bridge repair technician. He thought about writing what's changed but.... He decided not to.

 He looked at the cadet Longarm... Or should he say Shockwave? The Decepticon in disguise.. or what the humans call, 'A wolf in sheep's clothing'. He did kinda wonder what Issac Sumdac is doing, and how he is doing. He couldn't reach out but he smiled. He smiled because for the first time in a while.... He was calm. Sentinel was walking up to him. What was he going to do?

"Hey Optimus... I-" Sentinel stammered. Looks like he was trying to say sorry. Optimus knew Sentinel couldn't and when Optimus was needed he left after saying,

"No matter how much you apologize. It doesn't undo the pain you caused."

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  He looked around the Elite Guard, knowing the fate of his team, and of Prowl. Dear, dear Prowl. He remembered his sacrifice and those that it affected. He remembered the gray shell... He tried not to cry. How was he supposed to cry over someone who didn't know him? How? How does he grieve? He walked aboard that ship with Jazz by his side. And Jetfire + Jetstorm walking along, smiling and laughing. 

   He was excited for when he would arrive in Detroit was strange. He knew everything here, he knew everybot and human there. But they didn't know him. He knew who was the spy. It made him want to empty his tanks dry. Everytime he looked at Longarm. When he arrested Wasp, he knew it wasn't him. He couldn't prove it yet. He wanted to do badly expose him. But he had to wait. To protect him. To protect the team that didn't know he existed. To save Ultra Magnus from death. To-- wait! He needed to remain calm. He needed to remain calm. Do what Sari says, 'Keep Calm'. He knew Sari was half-cybertroian. He looked around in scientific books. Trying to figure out what or HOW Sari lived. He was awaiting until that day.

     Until then, he would enjoy his home. Home. Such a strange word isn't it? Meant to represent a place full of care. Of love. Of enjoyment. Did he feel at home? He got everything he wanted. He got the title, he could protect everyone and everything. Did Elita Blackarachnia feel at home before she got turned into a technorgnaic? Was she happy now with the Decepticons? And what about Sentinel? Was he happy now? With his crew? And what about Ratchet? Bulkhead? Bumblebee? Prowl? Did any of them feel at home. Home is a strange word. It feels like stuffing a meaning into a box. When Megatron started the war, was it for a good or bad cause? Did he feel at home?