Ultra Magnus was not used to feel. . .out of place.

Not among his own faction, at least. Earth was different, the team was different. And every cycle he spent trying to align himself with their ways only made the distance feel wider. Magnus does not know how to 'fit in', he never thought he would need it in the future.

You have told your sparkmate it takes time to settle in, yet you have been recieved with more warmth than himself. He does not mind. Primus—no. But it takes him time to wonder why it seems so effortless for you. They smile at you, laugh with you, approach you without hestitaion. Ultra Magnus had defeated Decepticons, command failures, entire tactical disasters, yet he could not conquer something as simple as camaraderie.

He is a mech who enjoys order, precision, structure. Maybe. .too much for others. But camaraderie? Warmth? Shared laughter? Those things have no rules, no briefing, no predictable outcome. . .and that unsettles him. Far too much.

Magnus does not understand the way the team works. They treat each other like family, but it does not take much time to realize that he is not part of it. That is what he thinks. He watches them from a careful distance. Optimus speaking gently to the team, Wheeljack and Bulkhead having fun with Miko—they even allowed humans in their team.

It is easier to tell himself they simply do not need him socially. It is harder to admit that he wishes they did.

He does not like to share or show his vulnerability, but even if he hides it, you notice.

His shoulders stiffen when he hears the laughter fill the room. His optics flicker your way as you talk to the teen humans and then away, as if ashamed to be caught watching he does not know how to join. You are so sweet to the others, making them want to spend time with you. It makes him wonder if he is really the problem.

His look does not go unnoticed by you. You gently step closer to him and touch his shoulder. Magnus does not move, but his optics shift toward you.

"I am merely observing the teams' dynamics."

It was not that simple. He is lying. You know he is lying. And he knows you know.