raisedbymoogles | "Because you're mine, I walk the line."

Blame (ij)deepbluesquee for this. I worked on it in between making things for Botcon. Transformers, gen, fluff, post-S3.

***

Although Optimus Prime no longer carried the Matrix, he retained a connection to it - and through it, to Hot Rod. It was not a sparkbond, but certain of the characteristic elements were there. The two Primes could identify each others' location at all times. In battle, they reacted to each other as if knowing in advance where the other would move - or as if they could read each other's minds. They couldn't, of course - at least not consciously - but they shared emotions and impulses. They had a constant line on each other's mental state.

At times, Optimus reflected, staring at the ceiling, this was a double-edged sword. It had been a long day and he was ready to cycle down into recharge, but his spark was seized by a restlessness not his own. Hot Rod was just there, his young mind in turmoil and sharp-edged confusion that would not let him rest. Optimus could have slept anyway, if he really tried, but despite his self-imposed resolution not to coddle the junior Prime, he found himself making his way unerringly to the rec room.

Hot Rod was there, staring listlessly at the television with the sound turned low. "Did I wake you?" he murmured without looking up as Optimus entered.

"No," Optimus replied - which wasn't technically a lie. "Having trouble sleeping?"

Hot Rod's shoulders hitched in a half-laugh as Optimus sat down next to him. "Ever notice how much human vocabulary we've picked up?" he asked rhetorically, rather than answer his senior's question. " 'Sleep' instead of recharge, 'drink' instead of siphon... we've gone hopelessly native, Optimus."

That was more true than even Hot Rod realized, Optimus reflected - less than half a century since the Autobots and humans had begun interacting, human speech and behavior had become more normal for the Autobots than their native Cybertronian. It was part of their programming to adapt to the species they lived alongside - a trait that meshed well with the humans' own adaptability. Sometimes it seemed as though the Autobots had become sons and daughters of Earth by adoption: a relationship that, through Hot Rod, Optimus was beginning to understand fully.

"In that case," he teased, "should I get you some warm milk to help you sleep?"

Hot Rod made a face. "No thanks. You could sing me a lullaby, though."

"Very well," Optimus said agreeably, and tugged Hot Rod down against him.

"What th- I was kidding!" Hot Rod flailed - but not very hard - and settled in against Optimus's side as the elder Prime began to sing.

"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time."

"Johnny Cash?" Hot Rod laughed. "You're such a dork."

Optimus smiled behind his mask. "I keep the ends out for the tie that binds - because you're mine, I walk the line."

It was hard to say, as Optimus continued to sing, where Hot Rod's restlessness ended and calm and comfort began. Warmth spread through Optimus's spark, communicated itself to Hot Rod's and was reflected back again in an endless spiral. Hot Rod rested his head on Optimus's chest and sighed, optics dim. He slipped into sleep between one verse and the next.

Optimus smiled, stroked his helm, and finished the song in a near whisper.

"You've got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can't hide. For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide - because you're mine, I walk the line."