When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 38

She stared at herself for a few minutes before she began to sob. She covered her face with her hands as she just cried and cried. Seeing the visible connections between Megatron and Optimus in her body was overwhelming for her. She didn't know if the autobots even suspected who her sire is. But since that answer was revealed in her dreams from Alpha Trion, she had to carry that information with he.

"Azura?" She heard Optimus's surprised voice behind her as he walked into the room. He saw Azura standing in front of her mirror with her hands covering her optics as she sobbed. "Azura..." He walked over to her and knelt down to pick her up. "Easy, I am right here." Azura looked at him as he brought her closer to his chassis and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He rubbed her back gently. "I know, this is a big changed. Your outer membrane was too weak thanks to the scraplets. We didn't want you to be uncomfortable."

Azura could tell that Optimus thought she was crying because she saw herself without her outer membrane. It was so sweet of him to consider that was the reason. But she knew what the actual reason is. She just could not bring herself to say it. She hoped she would never have to, but even if she was not the one to say it, she was certain that Optimus would learn the truth about her sire. And she didn't even know how Optimus would react to learning about that part of her.

"I assume you are probably still feeling pain. Even though the scraplets didn't eat much of your protoform, there are still small pieces that they bit through. You are thankfully not terribly injured. The injuries will heal quickly." He kissed the side of her head gently as she continued to sob. "I apologize for not being here when you woke up. Ratchet and I were discussing a few things. But you have no need to worry, my dear daughter."

Azura was curious about what exactly they had been discussing. She knew that it could have been about her first coverings, if she was old enough to even have them. But it could also be something else. She sniffled a little and looked at him with sad optics. "I...I...it f-f-feels like...m-my identity..."

"I know. You have been through so much to learn your true identity, and we did not help with that three years ago. And now...you were forced to tell that to our human friends." She nodded a little and looked away from him. "But I want you to know that none of them are upset with you. Miko seems to be the one who will take the longest to accept it. Jack has accepted it. He is here in the base now."

She looked at him in surprise and frowned. "H-He is? Uh...but...how early is it?"

Optimus smiled at her kindly as he listened to her stuttered. "Do not worry, Azura. It is not too early. Jack simply wanted to come here early on his own. He would like to come in here." She tensed and glanced at the door with wide optics. She didn't know what Jack would say when he came in here. "Jack Darby is very mature for his age. I have been impressed with how he has handled the situation of learning about our existence, and helping us through dealing with Megatron and the scraplets. While he had been afraid, I know he is very brave and confident. Do not doubt that he still wants to be your friend. I think he wants to be your best friend."

Azura frowned a little and looked at Optimus before looking down. "My best friend died, daddy. Cliffjumper...he...I don't know. W-What if...what if Jack dies too? Simply because he is a close friend to me..."

Optimus softened his expression. Hearing her call him daddy again made his spark warm. She was no longer afraid of the word. "Azura, Cliffjumper would want you to have friends. He was more of a brother to you than just a best friend. Bumblebee himself is like a brother to you too. In fact, he actually wants to be the one to do something today. He said he and Raf had come up with an idea, I am not sure what exactly, and they want you involved."

"They do?" Azura really did not know how to feel. "I...I am not sure if I want to do anything...I had hoped we would go to the island. Can we not do that?"