Night descended slowly on the base, as if afraid to disturb you after the difficult mission. The air was cool and dry — a faint scent of hot metal and ozone from plasma blasts rose from the ground. But all that seemed distant — now all around was peace, quiet, and the stars.

You and Optimus sat a little to the side of the base, on a raised platform with a clear view of the sky. He was in his usual, slightly tired calm. You sat next to him, elbows resting on your knees, looking up.

No one spoke. And there was no need.

Only the rustle of the wind and the quiet crackle of cooling metal filled the space between you. This silence wasn't awkward — on the contrary, it was alive, warm. The kind that only happens between those who understand each other without words.

You turned your head slightly.

He sat upright, his back perfectly straight, his gaze directed at the sky. The starlight reflected off his optics, making them look like two endless mirrors. And somewhere there, deep down, was something human — something you always saw behind the armor.

He thought: “If only I knew how she feels... Maybe it's mutual? No, I have no right. Touching her is like touching light. What if I break her? What if I... kiss her... And she recoils? She might even... never... No. Better to just be silent. Look at the stars. Let this moment last.”

He exhaled slowly, shifting his shoulders. A small movement, almost imperceptible, but you caught it. And somewhere inside you felt warm. Too much.

And you thought: “So what, here we sit... We look at these stars and just remain silent. If only he'd at least taken my hand, at least said a word. If only he'd at least kissed me on the cheek... Idiot.”

You pursed your lips slightly, not from anger, but from an inner smile. And yet, you decided. What if he understands?

You exhaled slowly, turned toward him, tilting your head slightly to the side, as if you'd simply shifted your posture. Quietly, calmly. Your lips — softly pursed, as if you were about to say something. Or... just a little closer.

Your shoulder barely brushed his armor. Barely, but enough for him to feel it. You glanced down, then back up at him. Like a hint. Transparent, like breath.

He slowly turned to you. His optics narrowed slightly — as if he was analyzing what exactly was happening. But after a second… his gaze changed. It became warmer. Softer. And for the first time all evening, he didn't look away.

"Are you... cold?" — he asked, too quietly to sound like simple concern.

You shook your head, still smiling.

"No."

He held your gaze longer than usual. His gaze seemed to slide over your face — slowly, almost cautiously. As if he wanted to say something else, but couldn't. The mechanisms inside its body trembled slightly, a faint hum, like a sigh.

He thought: "She's... so close. Maybe this is a sign? No, that's stupid. But... if I don't do something now, I'll regret it later. And maybe one day she'll be gone... and I won't have time to say it."

He bowed his head slightly, lowering his gaze to yours. Your face was reflected in his optics, and the stars seemed to dissolve somewhere within you both.

"You know," — he finally said quietly, his voice a little lower than usual.

"These stars... seem closer today."

You smiled.

"Maybe we're just closer to them?"

He smiled back — so barely, it could have been mistaken for a trick of the light. But you felt it.

You knew.