Vince kicked weakly at the dusty rock beneath his feet, keeping his eyes trained on his shoes rather than the setting Nevada sun before him. He watched as the pebbles bounced with each loud thud that approached him.

He didn't dare look at its source.

The sun to his face ensured no shadows fell over him, yet a presence heavier than any silhouette weighed sturdy on his shoulders.

"Your actions were unnecessary," the Prime scolded, tone as even as his steel gaze.

Vincent raised his head ever so slightly, glancing over the edge of the missile silo and down into the desert, "unlike this conversation?" He scoffed, "do you tin cans not know what 'alone time' is?"

"I believe forty five of your Earth minutes is quite substantial," Optimus replied unfazed, "or would you prefer to avoid facing the others for the duration of the night?" It was posed as a question, but Vince could tell the oversized truck wasn't budging. He was leaving the top of the base one way or another, whether the Prime dragged him back down the elevator or he took his chances with the ground.

"What do you want me to say, huh?" Vince whipped around to face the red and blue titan, "that I'm sorry I hurt Draby's feelings? Please, don't pretend to care about the squabbles of a few, what? Ants, to you?" Red hair catching the light of the setting star, the dancing strands looked almost flame-like. The fire danced around Vincent's head with each gust of wind.

"Vincent," Optimus started.

"Do not call me that," the boy practically sneered. The ground beginning to feel like the more appealing option.

"My apologies," the Primes eyebrows furrowed in sincerity, "Vince, do not ever doubt my or my Autobots respect for your kind, we are visitors to your world, this I acknowledge, and embrace," he lowered himself to one knee as he locked eyes with the teenager, "of greater concern, I hold the wellbeing of my team immensely high. That includes Jackson, and that includes you." When Vince made no indication of responding Optimus continued, "You both acted rashly, this I expected given your," Optimus hesitated for a moment, Vince could almost imagine him holding his breath, "history."

"Glad to hear we both have low standards for me, is that all?" Vincent questioned sharply.

Optimus Prime's frown deepened, "I believe you are both capable of rising above your hardships. I do not find you to be someone of truly vindictive nature."

Vince almost laughed in his guardian's face. "Well then you must be the only one, you think I don't know what the others think of me?" His voice raised with every word, "you think I don't notice the way they look at me as nothing but a nuisance, an outsider? I know that I'm not where I belong, I know okay? I'm not a blind child!" His voice cracked in sudden exasperation, "everyone hates me! Everyone. Everyone except for my fucking dad."

He crumpled to the ground in a heap, "even my best friend would rather hang out with Golden Child and his alien bike." Sierra hadn't seemed to have much time for him lately, someone else who Jackson Darby just had to turn against him.

He let out a bitter chuckle, running his fingers through his hair before pulling them away with disgust.

Optimus tilted his head as if in thought, "you wish to be accepted."

"I, it's not that simple." Vince trailed off before falling into mumbles as he stared at the sand. "I wasn't always like this, you know? I had friends," he balled his hands into fists as memories came rushing back to him, "I had a family."

"I do not hold any delusions of understanding your past," Optimus began, "but it is not too late to make the future that you want." He presented his hand to Vince in a gesture that the other autobots used to get their charges to jump on and go with them. "No one is placing sole blame on yourself, Arcee is currently discussing matters with Jackson. Vince," Optimus stressed, "join me."

The boy didn't quite know why he was moving, he never made the decision to jump on the Primes hand, some part of him just needed to. Optimus gave him a gentle smile, but Vince was too occupied with playing with the sleeve of his jacket to notice. The elevator ride down didn't take nearly as long as he would have liked, and he was back inside the base before he even realized it.

Jack's back was to him. He was leaning against the back of the yellow couch and staring off into the space where Arcee was standing with her arms crossed. Vince winced inwardly at her stern expression, glancing back to Optimus as if to ask 'do I have to?' Before continuing forward.

Vince came to a stop next to Jack, joining him in glaring at nothing in particular. A few painful minutes had gone by before Jack finally opened his mouth to break the awkward silence.

"I'm sorry I put Cool Whip in your hair."

"I'm sorry I punched you for it."