Earth. Night city. After the battle.

The ruined buildings still smoldered. Sparks of energy flickered in the air like extinguished stars.

The team returned to base in silence.

Optimus walked ahead, heavy-set and thoughtful. Arcee supported the wounded Bumblebee. Bulkhead carried the remains of the equipment. Ratchet was already giving orders over the intercom.

And you...

You stood on the roof of a dilapidated building.

The wind beat against your armor. Your optics stared into the dark sky.

Ultra Magnus landed softly behind you.

"You must undergo diagnostics," his voice was stern. But too quiet for an order.

You didn't turn around.

"Magnus..." you said softly. "One day I am gonna grow wings."

He froze.

That phrase.

You've said it before. As a joke. But there was no joke in it today.

He came closer.

"You don't have a flight module."

"That's not what I mean."

Silence.

He knew.

You've always been the one who rushes forward first. The one who shields others. The one who smiles even when your armor is cracking under the strain.

"You don't have to die for everyone," he said quietly.

You finally turned around.

Your armor was damaged. A deep crack ran down the side. A faint flicker of a spark shone through the crack.

"I don't want to die, Magnus," you answered honestly. "But if one day I have to... I will."

The wind picked up.

He took a step forward. His hands rested on your shoulders.

Too tightly.

"Don't you dare," his voice wavered. Almost imperceptibly. "Don't you dare say it so calmly."

You smiled. Weakly.

"If I really do grow wings someday... Then it wasn't in vain."

A few days later.

The sky was gray, heavy. Snow mixed with ash.

The Decepticons had activated an ancient cosmic artifact—an unstable portal. It was tearing apart space. If it wasn't stopped, half the continent would be wiped out.

Ratchet already knew the calculations.

"Whoever entered the portal's core... won't be able to come back," his voice was dry. Too dry.

Magnus stepped forward.

"I'll take this on myself."

You grabbed his forearm. Strongly.

"No."

He turned. And the familiar steel gleamed in his optics.

"That's an order."

You shook your head.

"The team needs you. You're their support. You can handle it. I... am easier."

He understood. He understood too quickly.

"Don't even think about it."

Snow settled on your armor. Your spark glowed brighter than usual—unstable.

"Magnus..." you said quietly. "One day I am gonna grow wings."

He froze.

"Don't you dare."

"It's not about dying," you whispered. "It's about becoming something more than fear."

He took a step toward you.

And for the first time... his voice broke.

"I won't let you disappear."

You touched his face.

Slowly. Almost memorizing the shape.

"Then don't look."

You enter the portal.

Energy cuts through space. Your systems crackle with overload.

You don't turn around.

Magnus rushes forward.

"Come back!." — is no longer an order. It's a request.