randomplaces | TFA 'verse. Autobot base, Detroit. After Sentinel got busted.

Koko watched Jazz leave, smiling and returning his cheery wave.

Then she turned and looked at her mate, her head tilting slightly as she considered his changed appearance.

Prowl didn't notice at first, being intent on trimming the tree, but then he looked around quizzically and gave her a little smile. "What?"

She contemplated the new look a little more, then walked over for a closer examination as Prowl set down the clippers and knelt to meet her. He was bulkier now, in the new armor, but he somehow wore it differently than he had when he'd had something similar before. This actually seemed like a part of him whereas before it had seemed threatening and pretentious.

Still pondering the difference, she put out a finger and poked him.

Prowl started and winced with a slight soft laugh. "That... tickles!"

Koko chuckled and poked him again, then darted after him and wrapped her arms around him as he tried to retreat.

He stilled, still a little worried about hurting her while she was in this condition, and gently returned the embrace. "You must be careful when you go out. Wasp is still somewhere in the city. And Sentinel has enough topics to be annoying and overbearing about."

"I'm always careful." She sighed as she closed her eyes and listened to the gentle beat of his spark. "But I'll be doubly so."

He smiled his slight smile and stroked her hair. "I think you'll be safe. But still."

"Yes." Koko smiled back at him, then stifled a yawn.

"You need your rest." He lifted her gently and brought her to their mat, then settled onto his back as she leaned against him. The changes in her body and the exertions of the day soon caught up with her, and Prowl lay as he loved to do and watched her sleep.

* * *

Optimus turned from the monitors to watch as Bulkhead and Bandit strained to overcome one another in their arm wrestling match, his mouth quirking upward at one corner from the thoughtful scowl it had been bent into.

"They're so silly," said a soft voice at his hip.

"Myrrh." His grin grew as he looked down at his daughter. "I missed you."

"I know." The tiny femme leaned against him as she watched Bulkhead and Bandit play. "But even Primus thought it best that Sentinel Prime not find out about me. I was busy helping the humans clean up the oil from that tank that exploded."

"Ah... right. That probably wasn't good for the lake." Optimus frowned.

"No. But we caught it in time." She gave his leg a little pat pat, then looked up at him seriously. "I haven't seen any trace of Blackarachnia, but from the way the Dinobots are guarding the island I suspect she might be there. I hear you found some of Starscream's clones?"

"Well, that's where she was before the anomalies started, and two of the clones are on their way to the lockup on Cybertron, along with Blitzwing, Lugnut, and Swindle." He smiled again slightly, but then resumed the frown as he saw an uneasy look cross Myrrh's faceplate. "What is it?"

"I don't know. That just... doesn't sound like a good idea. If Megatron does manage to reach Cybertron he'll find his lieutenants there waiting for him. And Shockwave is there."

"Hmmm. You're right." His frown deepened. "And Shockwave has Ultra Magnus' hammer now, too."

Myrrh's mouth turned down at the corners as she lifted her hands with dismay. Then she rubbed her arms and sighed. "I'll pray, and I'll let the other servants know the situation."

One small hand patted him again as she offered him a brave smile. "It will work out in the end. Just wait and see."

"I hope so," he said softly, then hugged her close for a moment before letting her go and watching her walk away.