authors note: ok so it's not really specifically optimus so you can put whoever you want in it i just didn't know what to put and he was my first choice
TW: death, abandonment, denial?
Autumn leaves pooled around a foreign creature in the woods. Sad, cold metal rested, seemingly rusted together. Colorful paint faded and chipping. Centuries have passed and no sign of life had come from the large metal being. Why was it there? Was it hiding? Was it waiting for someone? How did it get there? Perhaps it was exploring and got lost. Maybe it ran out of energy and sat down to rest, not knowing when it would get up. These are the things that the little critters wonder as they pass by the large metal being. Some say that it was once a tall, shining robot searching for a lover. Some say it was a criminal, hiding away. Stories were told by the creatures over many generations but none truly knew why it was there.
These thoughts continued until one day a strange noise emitted from the metal creature. It sounded like someone was speaking but the creature remained still. The forest became silent, curious as to what was happening. The voice returned and a faint glow came from the metal being. Was it alive? The light shone brighter and brighter until a loud stomping was heard. The critters scattered, scared. What is that? The metal thing hasn’t moved an inch! where was this sound coming from?
As the steps became louder and louder the trees parted and out emerged another large, metallic being. This one was bigger than the dormant one. It was colored brightly with strange patterns, a stark contrast to the faded paint on the other bot.
The new bot looked around, searching for something until it found what it was looking for. It walked over to the unmoving robot and wiped away the vines and leaves. It attempted to wake the dormant bot but upon finding it unsuccessful, it put a hand to the side of its head where its ear would be and started to speak. It spoke of finding what they were there for and bringing it back to base. The bot wrapped its arms around the smaller bot and lifted it with ease. The dull robot looked small and frail next to the newcomer.
The standing bot took one last look around the silent forest and walked. He walked away from the clearing where he had found the bot. He walked and walked until he emerged from the forest and neared his ship. The mech arrived at the shuttle the hatch opened. There stood his best friend. He watched as the mech’s face fell at the sight of the seemingly lifeless bot. He had found them. His long-lost other half. His best friend. His soulmate.
His eyes dulled as he took his lover from the arms of his friend. Soft words were whispered to his lover, unheard but meaningful. How long had they been there, waiting for him to arrive? The guilt was overwhelming for the mech. While he was out fighting they were here, waiting on a long forgotten promise of a new and bright future.
He would make it up to them. He would fix what had happened and build them the life they had dreamed of. If only they would wake up. He was not a doctor so he knew not what to do. He had to hurry. Who knows how long you have been out and how much time you have left. Would you wake up? He does not think he would be able to bear it if you didn’t.
So they shoot off into space, racing the ticking clock of life, unknowing of the outcome and praying. He prayed that you would wake up. That you would wake and be happy to see him. That you would not hate him for the mistake he had made that may have cost you your life. He prays for their forgiveness and love. He prays because that small sliver of hope is all that he needs to continue. That he will be able to see you smile at him once more.
These prayers continue as he waits. Grasping onto that slim chance that all will be fine. That small chance is all he needs. He has gone off of less before. He believes.
He keeps believing. It’s what keeps him going. Every day he believes. He believes even when they say the chances are slim. He believes that you will wake up. He believes that you will come home to him one day. He believes until there is nothing left to believe in. He believes until there is nothing left. Until you are gone because believing is the least he can do. After all he has done believing is the least he can do for you. And he does so until the end. Until your time has run out and there is no fight left in you. Until you're gone and there’s no bringing you back. Until he is forced to realize the truth.