The Sparkling: The Start

By the time Optimus and Ratchet returned with Arcee who was badly injured and Jack with Optimus' alt mode. Bumblebee and Bulkhead were nearly falling asleep due to their exhaustion and failing to keep up with Salrahn's energetic attitude. Ratchet let out a grumble at the sight before placing Arcee on a medical berth and started examining her injuries.

Optimus transformed back to his alt mode before placing Jack down to where Miko and Rafael were chilling or most likely playing video games. "Hey Optimus, you never told me that we would return so late at night." Jack says as he was placed down while Optimus froze in confusion. "It's late?" Optimus says.

"Yeah it's like.. 11PM now." Jack says as Optimus shook his head in disappointment to himself of how he lost track of the time. He prepares himself to speak about the three children to return home but Rafael spoke. "Optimus, is it alright if we stay here? Like a sleep over?" Rafael says which made Optimus think about it but Miko and Jack spoke.

"Me and Miko are in for a sleep over as well." Jack says as he sat down on the couch. "Yep! My babysitter's like.. drunk today." Miko says with a chuckle. "And my parents are working till morning." Rafael says. "My mom's fine with me sleeping over here, she needs some "me time." Optimus slowly nods, giving them the permission to sleep over in the base before approaching Bumblebee's who's tired out, sitting on the edge of the staircase, and holding an energetic Salrahn in his arms. "Was Salrahn behaving well while I was away?" Optimus crouches to meet Bumblebee's height.

"Bwee..." Bee says as he nodded his head as a sign to say that he's fine with being Salrahn's sparkling-sitter, he wanted to speak that he wanted more time with the sparkling but due to this exhaustion and tiredness he could not. Salrahn starts to shuffle around and squeak out loudly.

Optimus let out a chuckle before taking Salrahn from Bumblebee's arms. "I appreciate your time with the sparkling." Optimus says as Bee nods in reply while he watches Optimus excuse himself to go out with the sparkling.

"You are very energetic today.." Optimus whispers as he exits the base and makes his way towards the tall canyons to cover his identity. "Babah!" Salrahn giggles as he shuffles around Optimus' arms. "Don't squirm much, you might fall off." Optimus instructed Salrahn who cooed in reply.

Optimus couldn't help but put up a small smile in his face plate, he continued walking through the large canyons as he looks up at the sky. He stops at his tracks before sitting down on a flat surface of a rock big enough for him to sit on.

He looks up at the sky.

Amazed at the sight.

Of the stars of the night.

Salrahn followed Optimus' gaze, his optics widening in excitement as he sees the twinkling stars, he squealed and reaches out for the stars, eager to catch one. Optimus let out a chuckle when he saw the sparkling trying to catch one of the stars, but his chuckle faded when he saw Salrahn drooling.

It was odd.

Optimus tilts his head in confusion on why Salrahn was drooling but he let out a fatherly chuckle when he saw Salrahn yawning, he thought that Salrahn was most likely so eager to catch one of the stars that he started drooling. "Salrahn, my sparkling. It is impossible to catch a star, it is larger than your average size.." Optimus says.

Salrahn tilts his head as his gaze lands at Optimus with a confused expression. "My sparkling, you are drooling again.." Optimus sighs, he knew that whenever Salrahn drools the sparkling would most likely be wanting or needing something. Optimus gently wipes the drool away from Salrahn's intake before speaking.

"My sparkling, tell me. Do the stars of the Earth amaze you?" Optimus asks Salrahn, even though he was aware that Salrahn still hasn't fully learned the ability to speak since his voice box is still growing throughout the following years ahead. "Namah!" Salrahn babbles, followed by a giggle. Optimus let out a sigh, not that he was disappointed but rather.

Amused.

Amused on how Salrahn could understand him and reply ahead. He never knew any sparklings nor had an experience on taking care of one.

But he is now.

He is learning with Salrahn.

Optimus slowly looks up at the dark skies once more with Salrahn following his gaze yet again. The two were most likely very alike and adapt quickly to things or places. 

A perfect sire and sparkling relationship.