OptimusIsAWaffle, are you feeling it Mr. Krabs? You will be by the end of this chapter. All of you will. ;)

Feeling what? The urge to cry like the fangirl you are.

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The rest of the night was a blur after you pressed a kiss to Optimus' cheek. All you could do was watch his face as he spoke to the others, when he blinked oh so gracefully, when one of the team members cracked an awful joke and got him to smile without knowing it. Too often, Optimus would catch you staring at him with glazed, content filled eyes. As soon as you noticed his big blue optics were on you, you would quickly look away and clear your throat, trying to act like nothing had happened.

Even if Optimus knew that you liked looking at him. It was pretty obvious how you gawked at his handsome face. Metal or not metal, any woman would find him attractive. Especially you.

Now you're waking up in the middle of the night, not knowing where you're at. You definitely were not at home, where you should be with Mark, trying to get on his good side again. He is your husband after all. When you push yourself up with your palms, your front line of sight is hit with the color red and blue. Lifting your sleepy, blurry eyes, the bright blue light from Optimus' optics blind you until your eyes adjust to their light and the darkness surrounding you. He was just staring up at the ceiling, his face holding no emotion at all. You take in the appearances of the room you're in, realizing it's his room and you were sleeping on top of his chassis while he laid in his berth. You didn't know if you found it embarrassing or kind that he let you sleep with him. In any case, if you had a choice, you would have slept on the yellow couch.

You bite your bottom lip and tap his warmed chest softly, getting his starry-like optics to direct towards down at your drowsy feeling body. You expected him to just ignore you all together but his lips tip into a smile at you for a second, it leaving quickly. If it was even possible, his optics got brighter and joyous, like he was overjoyed to see you inspecting him. Your heart starts to race at the way he's looking at you. So tender on your soft skin, like he loved every part of you.

"I hope I didn't wake you." His voice cuts through the comfortable silence, though he was very quiet. You guessed he didn't want to wake the others.

No matter how many times you hear his voice, you just can't get tired of it. There were so many things about it that just made you melt on the spot. How deep and smooth it was, not like sandpaper, but if you had to describe his voice with something, you would go with milk chocolate. Not only did you love the sound, but you love the way it fits him and his sincere personality. If you wanted to, you could go on for hours just thinking about how satisfying it is to listen to him speak.

You go sliding down the metal of his chest and into his hand, or as Ratchet calls it, his servo, seeing that he had sat up so looking at you wouldn't be so awkward. You cross your legs and hug his offered thumb, enjoying his company as always. Just in the few moments of being around him, all the doubt you carried had faded away like white noise. He made you feel safe, like if anyone or anything was to harm you, he would pitch a huge fit just for your protection. That's the type of leader he is. He cares more for others than himself.

"I have a proposal," he catches your attention. "I have someone who could help you more than I ever could with your current home predicament. Though he may be a bit loud and obnoxious at times, he means well."

You loosen your grip on his thumb, staring up at him with a frantic look plastered to your paper white skin. New people? Again? Other people is the last thing you need. You just got used to Optimus and part of his team. Plus, this was a male your leader friend was talking about. Mark ruined you on grown men. You can't trust them. None of them.

Yes, Optimus is a grown man, but he's already shown you that couldn't even hurt a fly. That, and he's a completely different species. An alien. You don't know him or his kind.

"Or perhaps you would rather deal with the bruises?" Optimus frowns deeply at how upset he had made you in the past few seconds.

Thinking it over, why couldn't you give it a chance? If Optimus trusted the guy, then you should too. You meet his regret washed optics and nod your head unsurely, going against your better judgment and putting your wellbeing in someone else's hands. When Optimus says nothing, frown still stick to his face, you release his thumb and motion for him to come close again. He does as commanded, and you push up the corners of his lips into a smile. Though it looked forced at first, it changes to a real one when he sees you're making an effort for him.

Oh my Jehovah's Witness, he's so cute when he smiles. You slump back, your fingertips burning at how they touched his lips. They left a trail of fire.

You liked it.

Shut up. He's your friend, you're unfortunately married, and you don't even know him. You mentally scold yourself.

Yeah, but looking isn't a crime, now is it? Even if he is a different species. You give a nod of your head, not even realizing that Optimus was now highly concerned for your health.

•••

"(Y/n)! I thought Optimus would have taken you back home by now!" Miko charges at you, going as fast as her legs could carry her tiny body.

In an attempt to get away, you turn around and speed for Optimus who was talking with Ratchet yet again, but instead of their usual friendly talk, it looked like something troubled them both. You skid to a stop and watch Optimus' face drop into complete shock. Ratchet's optics catch you staring and he nudges the Prime, nodding over to you who looked confused at their sudden dismay. Miko had stopped before she got to you, then alerting everyone of the sudden change in the air. How tense it was. Did they happen to find something in the files about you? Optimus holds out his hand and you step on, head tipped and lips in a thin line.

He looks so hurt. And not for him... but for me.

"We're required to know this stuff. You should have told us. Now we have found out the worst way possible! Shame on you." Ratchet gets up in your face, making you trip over your own feet and fall onto your back in Optimus' hand. Optimus is quick to push his friend back, looking stern.

Everyone gathers around, Raf and Bee looking panicked, Arcee and Jack seeming confused, Miko and Bulkhead curious, and the others in shock at how Ratchet got upset at you. Ratchet gets upset at everyone, sure, but not at humans like this. This is a new low. The orange and white mech points to his computer, showing the many facts about you sprawled across the screen.

Some on things you could have kept secret if they hadn't snooped through your information without your permission. That was all their bad.

(Y/n) (M/n) (L/n);
Was abused by her family
The only (L/n) family left
Married at age 19 years of age
Had a miscarriage at age 21
Selective mute for unknown reasons

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The facts just kept going. To your deceased family, the family that abused you all your life, the family you never got to meet, all the way to your life and the bad outcomes. You wanted to forget. How can you do that now? No wonder Optimus kept talking about your home situation. He has the wrong idea.

In sudden realization, seeing the sentences in bold, the ones that tore your life apart in the first place, your whole body locks up and you pull yourself close. You should have stopped it while you had the chance. You wanted to tell them on your own time. Now you feel used.

"(Y/n)..." Optimus tries to get your attention but all you can do is tear up.

"Put me down..." You breathe out in a whisper, tears filling your eyes to the point where you can't see.

Miko takes in a sharp breath of air and everyone in the base can hear it. What could they do? What could they say? Optimus just narrows his optics in pity, and at the moment, it made you want to crawl in a hole and die.

"Put me down! Just put me down!" You scream through the blinding tears, right at Optimus who didn't look the least been hurt. He understood. You love the way he is. You hate the way he is. You don't know how to feel.

How dare he make you want to never leave his side.

Why is he so much kinder than anyone you have ever met? It doesn't make sense. He has the right to be mad at you. Instead, you're the one mad at him.

How dare he! How dare them all! This is my life yet I have no control of it.

Stop looking at me like that. Please...

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*Evil laughter yet sobbing in the most unholy way*

I love getting people in their fluff modes then crushing them. She can sPEAK. But she's supposed to be a selective mute so she won't have much dialogue. I have a reason for revealing this so early. Hang with me. ;D

By the way, from here on out, the story will take a turn for the worst.

Prepare yourself.