Deep night had fallen on the base. The metal of the hangars was cold and hard underfoot, only the dim light of the lamps casting long shadows on the walls. You stood next to Optimus, trying to talk about something personal, to subtly hint at your feelings, but each time the words seemed too big for the air between you.

“Well…” — you began, leaning slightly to catch his attention, — “maybe we could just…”

Your voice stopped mid-sentence, you glanced sideways at him, trying to catch his eye.

Optimus looked at you silently, his optics flickering slightly in the dim light. He tilted his head, as if considering what he had heard, but he did not catch the slightest subtext of your words.

“What do you mean, ‘just’?” — he asked evenly, and you felt a slight tremor run through the metal veins of your battle uniform.

You sighed and tried to rephrase, hoping he would understand without further explanation.

“Just… spend some time together. No missions, no worries… You understand, right?” — You smiled slightly, taking a step closer, hoping the gesture would tell him more than words.

Optimus looked at you carefully and tilted his head, then said quietly.

"I understand... to pass the time... but why? We have tasks to complete."

You frowned, feeling the air between you compress. He was literally standing next to you, his entire body in your field of vision, but it was as if he could only see your form, not the meaning of your hints.

You tried another approach, gently touching his arm.

"Well, maybe... just because sometimes you want to... be close?" — your voice trembled, and the optics of your violet light barely touched his body.

Optimus froze, as if analyzing the touch, but there was no hint of understanding on his face.

"Proximity... for rest?" — he asked evenly, as if trying to solve a mathematical problem.

"If the goal is rest, I can offer a systems check or engine tune-up to spend the time efficiently."

You took a deep breath, taking a step back. Again the words slipped past his understanding, and you realized that you would have to be more direct than subtle hints.

"No, Optimus… I mean just being together. Like… friends.” — You looked up, trying to find even the slightest response.

He blinked his optics, and for a moment it seemed like he understood your mood, but then he shook his head again.

“Friends… It’s more efficient to spend time on missions.”

You crossed your arms, trying not to show your irritation, but deep down you smiled, because, as always, he just didn’t get it.

“You never get hints, do you?” — you muttered, laughing slightly, looking at his huge frame, standing before you like an eternal, mysterious shield.

Optimus tilted his head slightly, as if listening to you, but his gaze remained level, analytical.

“Hints are ineffective.”

You closed your eyes and sat on the ground next to him, letting the light from the lamps reflect off your armor. He sat down next to you, as if quietly watching you, but still without a hint of understanding what you were trying to say.