Above all else, Brainstorm is brilliant. He knows it, everyone knows it, he knows that everyone knows it. It's not just opinion either, its pure indisputable fact.

You don't ask a seeker why they feel the call of the skies, or ask why scraplets eat metal, or ask Brainstorm what idea he has at any given moment. It's just a fact of life, unwritten laws to help you stay sane.

But, right now, the only thing on Brainstorm's mind is you.

Some distant part of him wonders if this is what it feels like to not have a million ideas running through his processor, but then you smile, and he feels like his spark is going to burst.

Creating a paradox-free time machine is easily his greatest feat, and he knows why he's here in the past, and its not for this, however much this detour is worth it, just to see you once more.

You probably don't even remember his name. You two never were all that close, and Brainstorm never got the chance to get to know you before you died at the servos of the Decepticons.

Maybe it's selfish of him to put off going and ending Megatron before his spark is placed in his frame just to follow you around at a distance, using a mini spyglass to zero in on your facial expression. Maybe he's avoiding having to pull the trigger on someone who hasn't even opened their optics yet. Maybe indirectly hurting countless people with his inventions hasn't prepared him for killing one stupid future warlord.

Brainstorm knows that if he succeeds, he'll stop existing. There'll be no reason for him to be forged, and BAM no more Brainstorm.

It'll easily be his most selfless act.

His optics mist up a bit, the corners turning up a bit to indicate a smile underneath his facemask.

It was worth it to see you again, one more time. Even if he can't quite bring himself to talk to you.

With a bittersweet sigh, Brainstorm stands up from his sitting position and promptly falls off the roof, landing right in front of you.

"Ow," He says, like an idiot.