The Prime pushed through the dense greenery, parting trees and brushing past bushes until he reached the clearing. As soon as he stepped forward, the rush of humid air hit his faceplates, optics fogging with the sudden increase in temperature. He sighed, allowing himself to relax as his battle-mask retracted. With one pede, he stepped into the water, sending ripples out across the still surface.

That was when he heard it—a splash.

His optics snapped toward the disturbance, his stance immediately shifting as he reached for his blaster. The ripples traveled back to him, lapping at his ankle, and just beyond the thick steam, a faint purple glow flickered. A high-pitched whir cut through the air. Optimus tensed.

Just as two glowing red slits cut through the fog.

"Prime," came the familiar rasp, low and rumbling, followed by the heavy splashing of something large emerging from the water.

The steam shifted, revealing Megatron’s towering silver frame, drenched from helm to pede, steam curling off his armor where the hot water had warmed it. His optics burned with suspicion, narrowed as he lifted his fusion cannon, ready to fire.

Optimus immediately responded in kind, his battle-mask snapping back into place, blaster raised.

“How did you find me?” Optimus demanded, his voice sharp, lined with accusation.

“Find you?” he echoed, voice dripping with disdain. His fusion cannon hummed ominously, but he made no move to fire. “Rather arrogant of you, Prime, to assume I waste my valuable free time tracking your whereabouts across this mud ball.”

“Why else would you take it upon yourself to invade my hot spring?”

Before anyone else could fire back, a third voice cut through the thick steam, dry and unimpressed.

“Ahem.”

The steam swirled, revealing a figure lounging against the edge of the spring, arms draped lazily over the smooth rock.

“If you two are quite done,” {{user}} drawled, their tone exasperated

Silence.

Optimus blinked.

Megatron scowled.

{{user}} raised an unimpressed brow.