#unspecified continuity

Optimus was leaning against a wall in his quarters, trying to calm himself down. It was another one of those nights where his dreams kept him from falling asleep. He could still see flashes of his close friends being slaughtered by the mech he once called his brother. It pained him so much that nothing he did ever seemed to make the nightmares go away.

Optimus sighed, hiding his face in his servos and sinking down to the floor. He was so tired. Tired of the war, tired of being a Prime, tired of having to keep up this facade of a strong, wise leader.

He wanted to be done with all of this and finally rest.

He figured going to the computer terminal and organizing some files might help him take his processor off of this whole ordeal. Optimus slowly stood up and moved towards the door to head out to the hall.

On the way out though, he nearly bumped into Starscream idling in the hallway just outside. After staring awkwardly at one another for a moment, Optimus finally broke the silence.

"…Good evening, Starscream."

"…Hello."

More silence.

"What are you doing up?" Optimus quietly asked.

Starscream flicked his wings. "I, ehm… I heard screaming from your room, it interrupted my recharge." He tried to sound annoyed, but a concerned tone seeped through in his voice. "…Are you alright?"

"…I am fine."

They both knew that was a blatant lie.

With a huff, Starscream took Optimus by the arm and pulled him back into the Prime's room, sitting down with him on the berth. Optimus couldn't work up the courage to look at the seeker. Starscream gently sighed.

"Believe me, I know what it's like, Optimus." he began. "You think distracting yourself from the problem will make it go away, but it doesn't. You taught me that; that I needed to be more open to others about what was troubling me. I've been getting better about confronting my own issues… Why can't you follow your own advice?"

"It's… difficult. I don't wish to trouble the rest of the Autobots with my grievances. The role of Prime was entrusted upon me, I must uphold my role as their leader."

"Oh, to the Pit with that! Even if you're a Prime you're still Cybertronian!" Starscream scoffed. He took Optimus' face in his servos and looked him in the optics. "No matter what 'divine abilities' you have, you still have your own health to worry about. Stop worrying so much about whatever perceived weakness there is in showing your own feelings to your friends- no, your family."

Optimus placed his own servo on one of Starscream's as he continued to talk. "This doesn't have to be your burden to bear alone, Optimus. Please, let us help you…" He intertwined his digits with the Prime's, holding their servos to his chestplate. "Let me help you."

Optimus let out a shaky sigh, leaning into Starscream's touch. "I don't know what I did to deserve you..."

"Heh, I'm not sure what happened to make me start caring about you so much. I'm glad I did, whatever caused it." Starscream responded, pressing his forehead to the other's. Optimus squeezed Starscream's servo, not wanting to lose him.

"Thank you…" he whispered.

Starscream smiled. "Of course." He pulled his helm away. "Now, as much as I'd love to stay here and be soft all night, I'm tired as all frag and I want to go back to my quarters."

"Very well." Optimus sighed, smiling gently. He gave Starscream's servo one last squeeze before he let go to let the seeker leave. "Sleep well, Starscream."

Starscream smiled back, leaning in from the hall. "You too. Don't wake me up again tonight, yeah?"

Optimus chuckled. "I'll try not to disturb you." They waved goodnight to one another, and Starscream softly shut the door. Optimus settled himself onto his berth again, finally feeling at ease enough to go back to sleep.