It had been a week since Megatron watched the sunset with Optimus. Since then, Optimus couldn't stop thinking about it. He would often daydream about the possibilities if the war never happened.

Ratchet occasionally caught him staring off into space while giving a lecture or reading a datapad. He didn't understand why Optimus seemed so distant at times and then alert as if nothing happened. He was beginning to question his thoughts until they were confirmed that very morning.

-8:00 am-

"Optimus, did you figure out a new location for a possible energon— are you even paying attention?" Ratchet huffed, crossing his arms across his chest.

Optimus's head snapped up and he whipped around to face Ratchet. "Yes, I'm paying attention. What were you saying?" He chuckled nervously at the scowl on Ratchet's face.

Ratchet rolled his optics and sighed. "As I was saying, have you found a new location for a possible energon deposit?"

Optimus glanced off to the side and gulped, realizing that he had done nothing over the past hour besides stare at the wall. The computer screen before him was blank with no data present. "W-Well I... I got distracted and..."

Ratchet wasn't buying it. His frown deepened and he stepped closer to Optimus. "Why have you seemed so distant lately? You act like aren't even here one minute and then the next minute, you're fine! I don't understand."

"You see... I..." Optimus could feel himself start to sweat as Ratchet pressured him for an answer.

As if on cue, an alarm started blaring on the computer. It saved him from having to confess to Ratchet about his feelings for Megatron.

"Decepticons!" Ratchet exclaimed, peering over Optimus's shoulder at the computer. "There is some activity near an abandoned mine. Should we check it out?"

Optimus composed himself and nodded, calling the rest of the team over. "Autobots, our scanners have picked up Decepticon activity near an abandoned mine. We are going to check it out and see what they're up to. Ratchet, open the groundbridge."

"Yes, Optimus." Ratchet replied, pulling the lever to open the groundbridge.

The swirling portal appeared a few seconds later and Optimus disappeared within its depths, followed by Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee.

-Jade forest, 9:00 am-

A portal appeared out of thin air in the middle of the dense forest, four large beings stepping out of it. It blinked out of existence with a hiss after they were all out.

"Optics sharp, we don't want to be ambushed." Optimus mumbled, transforming his hands into blasters.

"I can't see anything in this thick brush, how are we supposed to see them?" Bulkhead complained, swatting aside a few low-hanging branches from a tree.

"Just trust your instincts, Bulk. I'm sure we'll hear them before we see them." Arcee commented, her blasters aimed ahead of her.

Optimus held up his blaster, a sign for everyone to stop. There was a few crunching noises nearby and they all slowly turned to look around.

"Get down." Optimus whispered, motioning for everyone to crouch.

Just as they did, a patrol of Vehicons marched into the nearby clearing. They continued their path onwards right by the location they were hiding.

As they passed, Optimus poked his head up to check the area. He spotted Megatron's shoulder armor within the mass of Vehicons and held his breath, almost shaking with excitement. "He's here..."

::Do you seem them, Optimus?:: Bumblebee whistled quietly, his little helm peeking over the bushes.

"Yes, move forward with caution. Megatron is with them." Optimus replied, carefully stepping over the bushes and sneaking towards the Vehicons.

Once they were in position, Optimus nodded and gave the signal. All at once, they burst out of the undergrowth and opened fire on the Vehicons.

"Autobots! Hold your ground, Decepticons!" Megatron snarled, raising his fusion cannon to fire at them.

Before he could, Optimus tackled him into the bushes. He wrestled with him for a moment before throwing him off into a patch of wild flowers.

When they stood up, they each looked each other in the optics. It was tranquil for a moment, the sounds of battle echoing in the distance.

"This isn't the time, Prime..." Megatron hissed, baring his sharp denta. He didn't want to be harsh, but he also didn't want to look weak in front of his men.

"I know it isn't, but we don't have any other choices." Optimus retorted, changing his blasters back into hands.

"Why would someone like you even have feelings for a cruel beast such as me? You must be fragged in the head!" Megatron growled, swinging his leg and kicking Optimus in the jaw.

Optimus spat out energon and got back up, wiping his mouth. "I'm not going to fight you, Megatron. It's your choice to believe that you are a cruel being capable of nothing but hate. I don't believe it."

Megatron paused for a moment, breathing heavily. "That's where you're wrong.." he snarled, punching Optimus in the stomach and throwing him into a tree.

Optimus crumpled to the ground, struggling to stand. "Remember what we did last week... wasn't that just like old times..?" He coughed, pushing himself up.

"I do remember it, but this was not meant to be. We are mortal enemies, not free lovers who can do as they please." Megatron huffed, widening his stance.

"It doesn't have to be this way. You only make it seem like it does, when in reality it could be so much better!" Optimus argued, holding his hands out. "I want it to be like old times, but I need you to help me."

Megatron froze and thought about that for a moment. He did have feelings for Optimus, but he didn't know how to portray them. He knew that if they revealed their feelings, their love would be doomed. "Fine." He muttered, glancing away into the lush greenery.

Optimus sighed in relief, letting down his guard. That's when the blast struck him from afar.