Late evening.

The base was unusually quiet—most of the crew was resting, the lights in the corridors dimmed, only the occasional indicator light pulsing softly on the walls.

You and Optimus stood by the hangar's panoramic window: beyond the transparent shield, the Earth's night sky, strewn with stars, stretched slowly.

Optimus stood behind you, one arm calmly holding you by the waist, the other resting on the edge of the panel. His presence was warm, reliable, like an anchor.

You leaned back slightly, letting your back armor brush against his chest plate.

"You're quite silent today," — he remarked quietly.

You smiled faintly, not answering right away. Instead, you tilted your head to the side and slowly, almost lazily, approached his sensor, so close that he felt the slight vibration of your voice.

A quiet whisper. Low. Personal.

„Du bist stärker, als du denkst… und sanfter, als du es dir erlaubst.“ ("You're stronger than you think... and gentler than you let yourself be.")

Optimus froze.

His fingers tightened slightly on your waist, reflexively, as if he hadn't fully understood the words—but he did understand the intonation.

"...It was beautiful," — he said slowly.

"Although I'm not sure I understood the meaning."

You grinned and, without pulling away, added even more quietly, your lips almost touching the edge of his sensor:

"Ich fühle mich sicher bei dir." ("I'm safe with you.")

His spark responded instantly. You felt it—like warmth rolling through his body.

Optimus leaned closer, his voice lower, almost velvety:

"I don't speak German..."

"I... But I can, if you want."

He pulled you closer, no longer concealing his movements, his hand firmly resting on your waist, holding you as if letting go was a bad idea.

You turned to face him, raising your optics.

"Want me to teach you?" — you asked quietly.

A short pause.

He looked at you intently, softly, with that expression only you saw.

"If it means hearing your voice so close…"

"I think," — he added, bowing his head slightly, — "I'm willing to try."

His forehead gently touched yours.

The world narrowed to the two of you, to the quiet hum of the base and the steady rhythm of two sparks beating in unison.