Thank you to xXTempest_VoidsXx for the request!

The reader is a digital artist, and Optimus is their gaurdian.

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I stared at my tablet, another blank page open on the screen. The white light of it burned my eyes, and lit up the area of the base I was in. The others had left for their homes hours ago, and at some point Ratchet had turned off the lights.

That was okay, I liked the base at night. Besides, the green glow of the monitors gave off enough light to see where I was going. Not that I had left the couch, it was comfortable, and I didn't feel like moving.

I exited out of the blank canvas and looked at my latest finalized project. I was actually okay with it, but maybe I would feel differently in the morning. I was always easier on myself when I was tired. I started that piece around four, Miko had been over my shoulder for about half an hour watching me work before getting bored and moving on to something else. I glanced at the small digital clock displayed in the corner of my screen and- oh. Midnight. Time flies I guess.

Loud, but gentle footsteps approached behind me. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. The autobot leader had a very distinct presence.

“I apologize for my lack of urgency in accompanying you home. It appears that I let my work consume me. It will not happen again.” Optimus rumbled. He had been working on something at the computers, I wasn't entirely sure what.

I let out a short laugh. “You and me both. Don't worry about it, I didn't even notice how long it's been.” 

I gathered my stuff into my bag. Tablet, charger, pencil, second charger, water bottle, notebook…there was a lot. I had really turned the base into my personal office lately.

It was nice, having company. 

I descended the stairs from the human area and walked over to Optimus as he transformed. It was a little awkward, climbing up into the truck with my bag. One thing that I was thankful for was the empty drivers seat. I plopped my backpack onto the seat and buckled myself in, Optimus heading up the exit tunnel.

We were at my apartment, and I was in my bed before I knew it. 

I checked the clock. 12:23. 

I stared up at the ceiling, my thoughts racing. Let's see, I needed to get three drawings done for college. Two environment angles, one character turn around. One environment I had just completed. Then there were the two commissions. They could wait a bit, I got to choose my hours with those ones. And my contracted piece. It was a character this week. I hated those. Environments were always so much easier for me.

It was Tuesday, no, Wednesday now. Deadline for the contract piece is Friday at 5pm, so I'll do that one next and get it done with. The two ones for class I'll get done over the weekend and have ready for Monday, and the commissions…this is getting exhausting. If it's so exhausting though why can't I just sleep?

I picked up my phone and activated the lock screen. 1:08am. What? I'd been staring at the ceiling for over half an hour?.

That's fine, I'll try this again. Pulling my sheets up, I squeezed my eyes shut and attempted to let my mind rest. 

If I can fit twenty hours into the next three days, that's $440 for my contract this week. Maybe I'll do better next week and reach my full 35. So 440 plus, uh. I pulled out my phone and opened the calculator. 440 plus 700. 1140. That's enough for rent with a little left over. But the contract ends in a month, how am I paying rent then? Maybe I could move into the base and live there for free.

I closed my phone again, but caught sight of the time in the corner. 1:32. Ughhhh.

You know those nights where you can tell that you're not getting any shut eye? It was one of those.

I rolled out of bed and turned on the lamp next to me. Outside my window, I can see the silhouette of a semi truck parked in visitor parking. He no doubt noticed my light turn on, and is wondering why I am not sleeping.

Me too, buddy.

I dropped my blinds. No sense in kidding myself. Might as well get work done if I'm up. I pulled on my jeans and t shirt that I had left on the floor from nearly two hours ago. They smelt fine. Then my boots, and my hoodie. 

I dug my tablet out of my bag and sat down in my desk chair. I opened up the program, and stared at the blank canvas. My supervisor needs a new character for the client. So I should start with basic poses and then I can worry about design variations after that. But what if my silhouettes are weak? What if my supervisor hates it, and ends my contract early. Replaces me with someone better. How would I pay rent then? Or tuition? What if I finish the character and it gets sent to the client, but they completely hate it? If they think it’s trash and then I'll starve and be homeless and I won't get a good reference from my supervisor for future gigs and I'll never make it as an artist and-

2:48.

And my canvas is still blank.

My eyes were beginning to sting, but I was wide awake.

Before I knew it, I was moving. I grabbed my keys and phone and swung my door open, tablet forgotten on my desk. I stumbled down the hallway, not entirely sure where I was going until I was outside.

“Optimus?” I whispered at the truck before me. 

Optimus unlocked his door with a click, and I climbed inside.

“Is something wrong?” He inquired.

“I can't sleep.” I confessed. “My mind keeps racing.”

Optimus hummed in acknowledgement. “Perhaps a change in scenery would be of benefit.” Before I knew it, he was pulling out of the parking lot and driving down the streets of Jasper.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I am not going to any location, I am merely driving.”

“Oh.” I had heard the others mention how Optimus liked his long drives to clear his head. It made sense. The roads were quiet, the stars were beautiful, and the hum of the road could put anyone to sleep.

I rested my head on the window, staring at the stars.

They were pretty.

My eyes were starting to grow heavy. I let them shut.

“Good night Optimus.”

“Good night.” He echoed.