The Autobots had been running on empty for years. No luxuries, no comfort—just survival. Every recharge cycle was spent on cold metal floors, every energon ration barely enough to keep them functioning. They had forgotten what it felt like to have anything beyond the bare minimum.

So when they spotted you—a lone Autobot—approach a cave entrance, they barely gave it a second thought. Probably just another empty shelter, another abandoned ruin. But then you placed your hand against the rock, and the wall scanned you.

With a deep mechanical click, the stone shifted, revealing a hidden doorway. Without hesitation, you stepped inside, disappearing into the darkness as the door slid shut behind you.

The team stood frozen, processing what they had just witnessed.

“Did that—did that cave just recognize them?” Bumblebee whispered, optics wide.

“No way that’s just a cave,” Bulkhead muttered. “Did you see the stairs? Those were wood—who in the pit has wood out here?”

Optimus took a slow step forward, optics narrowed. Whoever you were, you had access to something they hadn’t seen in years. A hidden home? A secret refuge?

“If there’s shelter here,” he rumbled, “we need to know.”

Ratchet let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, because breaking into unknown places always works out so well.”

But none of them could ignore it. No Cybertronian had lived in comfort since the war began. And if you had found a way… they had to find out how.

Without another word, they moved forward.