Night had fallen over the base. The hangar was semi-dark, pierced only by the occasional instrument lights with a soft glow. You stood by the wide window, looking out at the distant city. Your shoulders were hunched, your hands pressed to your chest, and your lips trembled, as if the words were stuck somewhere in your throat.

"Why are you leaving?" — your voice was quiet, like a snapped string.

You didn't raise your voice, but your intonation conveyed everything: fear, despair, and the feeling that your last strength would soon leave him.

Optimus stopped behind you. His steps were heavy but restrained. He didn't answer right away, as if collecting every thought.

"I'm not leaving you," — he said finally. His voice was low, tired, but firm. — "I'm going to a place where more than one life depends on me."

You turned to him, your optics widened, your lips trembled.

"What about my life?" — your whisper broke.

"It's not important to you? Everything I had... all my hopes, I put into you! And now you're just going to disappear?"

Your body trembled slightly, and you gripped the edge of the windowsill, as if afraid the ground would give way beneath your feet.

Optimus took a step closer, his hand resting next to yours. He looked into your eyes and didn't look away.

"You're important. More than you think." — His voice softened. — "But if I don't go... we'll both lose everything."

You shook your head, looking down.

"You don't understand... If you leave, I'll leave with you. I'll stay here, but everything inside me will die. You'll return, and I'll be gone. I... I'll disappear into your memory, forgotten, repressed."

Optimus pressed his lips together, his breathing heavy. He reached out and gently touched your palm.

"No. I won't forget. Even if thousands of miles separate us, even if the stars go out... I'll keep you within me."

You looked up, your eyes filled with a mixture of pain and hope. For a second, you thought the words might warm you, but a shadow of doubt remained.

"Everyone says that... But then they leave, and we're left by the window. Alone." — Your voice wavered, and you squeezed his hand in yours, as if checking to see if he would disappear right then and there.

Optimus leaned his head closer, his optics glinting in the darkness.

"I'm not swearing. I'm promising. And those are two different things."

Your breath hitched. You couldn't find the words, only allowing yourself to rest your forehead against his body. He hugged you carefully, allowing you to hide from the world for a moment in his shadow.