The atmosphere in the command center was tense, a sharp contrast to the usual controlled discipline Optimus Prime maintained. Sideswipe stood before him, his frame unusually still, optics bright with frustration as he tried to explain himself. His voice was steady, careful—desperately attempting to be respectful while defending himself.

Arcee, standing slightly to the side, had a composed expression, arms crossed as if she had no doubt Optimus would take her word over Sideswipe’s. And he had.

Optimus, his expression unreadable but firm, had already passed judgment. His voice carried the weight of authority, unwavering, despite Sideswipe’s clear struggle to make him understand.

Sideswipe wasn’t one to back down easily, but even he knew when he was fighting a losing battle. His servos clenched at his sides, vents sharp as he tried one last time to reason with his leader, to explain that what had been said about him wasn’t true.

And yet, Optimus didn’t listen.

That’s when you walked in.

You hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but as soon as you heard the conversation, the pieces clicked together in an instant. Arcee was lying.

You could see it in her posture, the way she didn’t even look at Sideswipe as he spoke, only flicking her optics toward Optimus as if expecting him to hurry up and be done with this. Sideswipe, on the other hand, was sincere—desperate for Optimus to hear him out, to just listen.

But he wasn’t.

Optimus was wrong.

And you knew the truth.