On Cybertron, there have always been phases that Earthlings preferred not to talk about. These cycles rarely affected the Primes — their spark was considered too stable, too disciplined.

But this era was different.

In recent weeks, Optimus had become... different. Unbeknownst to himself — and all too noticeable to you.

He became more anxious, tense, hyper-sensitive. His sensors reacted to your every movement. Sometimes you caught his gaze — long, searching, almost predatory... but then immediately giving way to stern restraint.

He thought he was hiding something. He wasn't.

Today had become truly strange.

You were standing in the hangar, adjusting a tool mounted on the wall, when a quiet, low, almost vibrating sound came from behind you. Like a deep humming sound, echoing across the floor.

Optimus stood in the doorway.

But he looked... different.

Prime stood upright, but his chest plate was raised slightly higher than usual — his spark was clearly working harder than it should have. Rare but frequent pulses of blue energy ran along the contours of his armor. His optics were brighter than usual, almost glowing.

He looked at you with extreme seriousness, and — what was surprising — he seemed to be struggling with himself.

"Darling..." — His voice was lower than usual. Much lower.

"I need to talk to you."

He took a step. Your body reacted to the vibrations of his steps in a way never before possible: they seemed to reverberate in your chest.

Optimus stopped at arm's length. He doesn't come any closer — it's clear he's keeping himself within strict limits.

"Cybertronians... enter mating season," — he said, as if confessing to a crime.

"It's a cycle that can't be suppressed. The body... the spark... the instincts..."

He looked away slightly, — "...they begin to behave differently."

He looked at you again. This time — openly, sincerely, dangerously honest.

"I'm holding on. For now. But my condition... is getting worse. Especially..."

He took a breath, — "when you're around."

You heard a soft, deep hum — his spark had amplified the impulse.

He took a step closer — literally half a step — and then froze, as if afraid to frighten you.

"I came to warn you," — Prime continued quietly.

"And... to ask. If I start acting... too impulsive... too persistent... Don't be afraid of me. Just say the word... any word — and I'll stop."

He bowed his head a little lower, almost to your level, his enormous shadow blocking half the hangar.

"You..."

"You trust me, right?"