Optimus woke up that morning to Bee wiggling in his hold. Optimus opened his eyes to see Bee lying in his back with his hand laid back either side of his head. Optimus smiled at him as looked up at Elita's side of the berth, to see if she was there. She wasn't; which was expected. Elita never comes back after a night out; which felt like every night now to Optimus.

Optimus sat up and rubbed his eyes. Last night was very tiring. He got up and kept an eye on Bee (to make sure he doesn't roll off the berth) while making his feed. When he made it, he placed it on his mantle side while he carefully picked Bee up. Optimus noticed that Bee wasn't the most confutable with Optimus' chassis armour on when he held him; so Optimus took it off.

That was another tip Optimus got on his data pad; sparklings prefer to have skin-to-skin contact with their creator. So, Bee was now pressed upwards against Optimus' bare chassis while Optimus got Bee's bottle off the side. He placed the teat of the bottle on Bee's chin and Bee took it.

Optimus smiled down at the tiny sparkling while it drank; then there was a knock at the door. "It's Ratchet." Called Ratchet.

"Come in, old friend." Said Optimus tiredly. Ratchet walked in and was surprised to see Bee and Optimus the way they were. "Oh, you don't mind my chassis being exposed, do you?"

"Not at all. So, how was it?" Asked Ratchet while he stood facing him.

"Alright..." Optimus said in his yawn.

"Tiring?" Asked Ratchet, Optimus nodded as he closed his eyes for a few seconds "I heard! Last night, I made something that will it easier for Bee to sleep." (Ratchet turned away form Optimus and looked in Bee's cot) "it's a device that makes the sound of a femme's womb. It should make Bee more... more... Optimus?"

When Ratchet turned to Optimus, he saw him lent forward a bit with his head dropped forwards and optics closed. He had fallen asleep with Bee in his hold.

"Optimus?-"

"Yes!" Optimus sat up straight as he woke up; making Bee jump. But he only wined while he kept drinking; Ratchet chuckled.

"Give him here, you need rest." Said Ratchet as he was about to take Bee away; but Optimus stopped him.

"It's alright, old friend," said Optimus as he laid down "Bee can stay." Optimus laid on the berth on his back and kept Bee on his chest. Bee crawled into a ball on Optimus' chest and fell asleep. Optimus took the empty bottle and put it in the side.

"Okay then." Ratchet chuckled as he was about to leave.

"Have you heard form Elita?" Asked Optimus while he was half asleep.

"No, why?" Asked Ratchet, concerned for his oldest friend.

"No reason." Optimus said while lying his head on his pillow, but raised it up again. "Oh, tell Ultra Magnus he's in charge while I'm... in predicaments..." said Optimus- with his eyes closed- in his yawn again.

"Alright, get some rest. You need it." Said Ratchet before shutting the door behind him. Optimus looked at Bee on his chassis and smiled and Bee's legs were tucked under his tummy.

He laid his head down on the pillow and closed his eyes... to be asleep for 3 hours...

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When Optimus woke up, he stayed in his berth for a few more minutes while he stroked Bee. He eventually sat up and carried him to his cot. As Bee was asleep, he didn't fuss about being in the cot... thank Primus.

As Optimus got ready, he heard Bee stir. It wasn't a stir as in he's waking up or getting upset, it was a stir as if he's doing something. Optimus walked over and looked in the cot. He slightly gasped when he saw Bee about to open his eyes for the first time.

Optimus took bee out and sat in the bed with him, waiting. Bee's eyes opened slightly so he looked like he was squinting, then opened them fully. He looked straight at Optimus.

"Hello there." Optimus chuckled Bee just stared at Optimus; fascinated by him. Optimus got his finger and stroked Bee's cheek with it.

As Optimus' finger stroked down, he heard Bee give a tiny giggle as it touched his neck. "Are you ticklish?" Optimus whispered in amusement. Optimus gently stroked Bee's neck and he started to giggle more and smile up at Optimus.

Even though Optimus was content with this happy moment, he also felt very bad. This was ment for Bee's creators. If they only have lived, there would be experiencing Bee's eyes opening or him giggling for the first time. Not himself.

When Optimus, finally, got ready, he joined his team in the main hall of their base; obviously taking Bee with him.

"Ah, good morning... or should I say, good afternoon!" Bulkhead chuckled.

"Sorry, did I over sleep?" Optimus asked.

"No, no" said Ratchet "you needed that rest. Why, I see that Bee's eyes are open!"

"Yes, he opened them for the first time this morning... but I feel I did not deserve to have had that moment..." Optimus Sighed.

"Optimus," Ratchet said while placing a servo on his shoulder "it was not your fault for Bee's creators to have perished. You know that." Ratchet reassured, Optimus nodded.

"We have found and made a dorm for Bumblebee. He should sleep there from now on." Said Ultra Magnus, Optimus didn't like that. He wanted to protect Bee, Bee can't sleep on his on his own without him to protect him at night... or was he just now... possessive?

Optimus shook the thought off as he nodded to Ultra Magnus; then he saw Elita. She walked into the room then out another door, but Optimus couldn't follow.

Right now, Bee's #1 priority is to get use to being with other people apart from Optimus. So, Optimus and Ratchet started with Bee being in Ratchet's arms while still being in Optimus'; so they were still in contact.

Eventually, Optimus had less and less contact with him until he wasn't even holding him. Just standing and watching. This was a great start.

Ratchet wanted to make checks on Bee, so Ratchet put him in a cot to put him into stasis (like a stasis pod). While Bee was in stasis, Optimus went to look for Elita.

It wasn't long before he found her, Optimus fast-walked to her and gentle grabbed her arm. "Elita?" Optimus called.

"Mmh?" She answered as she turned to look at him.

"Where were you last night? You didn't return..." Optimus asked.

"I was with friends! Primus, Sweetie, don't you trust me!?" Elita demanded.

"Oh, No- No!.. it's just... You never spend time with me anymore... I miss you..." Optimus gently stroked Elita's arm for affection but Elita jerked away.

"What, so now that I'm your sparkmate I can only talk to you now?" Elita was now furious.

"Elita, I never said that." Optimus said seriously as he was getting annoyed with Elita now.

Optimus never would expect Elita to give him all her time and effort, but this was ridiculous. As a husband, he would expect at least a little affection here and there. All he wants is a bit of love, care and kindness form her; just something as simple as cuddling close together in their berth or just an 'I love you' from time to time. That's all he wants.

Optimus continued, "I just want to send time with-"

"Optimus!" Ultra Magnus Called "We have B.E.E.127's dorm made and ready." Optimus sighed as he turned to see Elita gone.

"Just coming, Commander." Optimus replied as he followed Magnus. Optimus followed Ultra Magnus to Bee's new dorm; when they arrived, Optimus saw that Ratchet was already there.

"Ah! I see your here. What do you think?" Ratchet asked as Optimus looked around. Bee's cot was at the top left corner of the room with many things like cupboards and tables for feed. It was very dull, but Optimus couldn't ask to make it nicer for Bee, as there is a war going on.

"I will leave you two, I have the Wreckers to attend too." Magnus sighed as he left the room.

"Ratchet, will I still be caring for Bee while he rest?" Optimus asked as he lent over the empty cot.

"No, don't worry. I will be dealing with that." Replied Ratchet.

"... Oh..." Optimus mumbled as he stared into the cot. Ratchet sighed and walked over to him.

"I hate to be frank with you, Optimus," Ratchet said sadly as he places a servo on Optimus' shoulder. "But you cant look after him. He's not yours. Your job is to lead this team. Not look after a sparkling."

"... I..." Optimus sighed (but for Ratchet surprise and worry, it sounded to be a emotional sigh). "... I know, Ratchet... it's just..." Optimus looked away; this was embarrassing to him.

"Sit, Optimus." Ratchet pulled two chairs out. "Talk." Ratchet said when they sat.

"... Since... I could remember,.. I've... I've wanted a sparkling." Optimus closed his eyes in shame as his head dropped down. Ratchet went wide eyed as he heard this, this new side of Optimus Ratchet has never delt with before. "I just... I dunno... wanted to wait till the war ends... But... Elita... she... she-"

Optimus stopped himself as a tear fell. As he didn't want to destroy his Prime- like reputation, he looked away from Ratchet and wiped the tear away as quick as he can.

"Optimus, don't feel like you have to be serious with me. I'm not judging you." Ratchet reassured as he placed a servo on Optimus' knee. Optimus slowly looked at Ratchet in the eyes, he told Ratchet how Elita isn't interacting with him; how he can even get so much as an 'I love you' anymore. And how she off late at night to Prinus know where.

Ratchet told Optimus that Elita was most likely stressed from leading the Femmes. But both he and Optimus know that's not true.

There was only one deception attack at Olex, but only half of the team were needed. That night, Optimus offered to help Ratchet get Bee to sleep. As Ratchet left Optimus and Bee alone to get more feed stash, Optimus took this opportunity.

He picked Bee up and swayed him in his arms. "Goodnight, little one." Optimus whispered, "this will be your new dorm. But don't worry, I'm right around the corner. When this war is over, we will get you a proper dorm. With the stars of this universe in the ceiling. So you will alway know you way back home; from memory."

Bee look up at Optimus with bright eyes and curled his lips up to a smile. Optimus chuckled at how dowpy it was as he laid Bee in the cot. "For now though, this will do." Optimus kept whispering as Ratchet came in.

"Everything is ready now, Optimus. You may go." Optimus looked at Bee one more time before heading off to some much deserved rest.

He did so like that little sparkling.

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There were some Optimus' daddy senses tingling! 😂
I'm so sorry that it's short. My life is so busy.

Hope you enjoyed! 😊