an exchange of culture
a small fic for an event in my server!
“Merry Christmas, Optimus!”
The cheery shout drew everyone’s attention to the pink striped girl, who was wearing a bright red hat with white trim. Next to her was Raf with a shy grin and gripping something in his hand and dark-haired Jack with silver frills in a necklace wrapped around him.
“Good morning, Miko,” Optimus returned, having a vague idea of what she was referring to. “Your hat is well-made.”
She grinned brightly up at him, bouncing in place. “Thanks! Ms. Darby showed me how to use a sewing machine. I made it myself.”
“An impressive feat,” Optimus replied, feeling a small smile tug at his lips. The children were always bringing something new into their lives, and always kept things from getting dull. “Is there a special occasion for your attire?”
Somehow Miko’s smile got even wider. “It’s Christmas! Best holiday America came up with.”
Agent Fowler snorted from where he was typing up a report. “She’s not wrong,” he called out, not looking up from squinting at his screen.
“It has turned into a capitalist nightmare,” Jack agreed with a tilt of his head, and Optimus saw him twitch when his skin touched the silver necklace.
“Fuck the government!”
“Language!” Many voices said at once, and Optimus turned down the sensitivity of his audials once again.
“Isn’t Fowler legally required to arrest you now?”
“This place technically doesn’t exist.” Fowler still hasn’t looked away from the monitor.
“That means no rules!”
“Upt, upt, upt! There are rules. Many, in fact!” Ratchet had his hands on hips and was frowning down at the children.
“Not that Miko actually follows them,” Jack teased. Optimus was glad that the boy-no, young man, had grown comfortable enough to do so. Even just a few months ago Jack would have stayed silent, hanging back from them.
“Psh,” Miko waved her hand at Ratchet and Optimus had to hide a smile at the indignant expression on his old friend’s face. “Rules suck, and presents are awesome.”
That got every one of his Autobot’s attention. **Presents? For us?** Bumblebee asked, doorwings hiking up in excitement.
Optimus found himself intrigued as well. No one has gotten a gift in… a long time. Their current base was technically a loan, as was most of their equipment. A gift, from their young charges…
Something warm bubbled in his chest, spark feeling too big for its casing.
“Yep!” Miko was beaming, eyes nearly glowing. Jack and Raf drew up behind her as Optimus felt his bots gather around the balcony. He knew that she couldn’t understand the young scout, but it wasn’t hard to guess what could have been said. “We didn’t really know what to get giant alien robots sooooo we’re kinda just winging it.”
“And Raf’s really the only one who celebrates anyway,” Jack added.
“I thought it was something all humans did,” Bulkhead said, sounding confused. Optimus was as well.
“A lot of humans, sure,” Jack said with a shrug before scowling and lifting the necklace off and placing it over Raf’s head like a crown. “But my dad was Jewish and Mom doesn’t celebrate any holidays.”
“I’m not Christian,” Miko said with a shrug. “Doesn’t stop me from wanting to do presents though.”
“It’s pretty big in my family,” Raf said, smiling up at them. “Christmas is the one time of year that everyone comes home and is together. We celebrate family more than Jesus.”
“And you’re family!” Miko said before Optimus could ask more about Jesus from the point of view of the children. “So we’re celebrating together.”
“Everyone comes home, huh?” Bulkhead murmured with a sad sort of smile that had grief pulling down at Optimus’ spark.
“Yep,” Jack said. The way he said it got everyone’s attention. “Bulkhead’s present is first, special delivery even.”
Optimus could feel the confusion spread around them just before the proximity alarm goes off and Wheeljack comes screeching into the base later.
He transformed with a flourish, walking towards Optimus and his stunned Autobots. He spread his arms and a smirk crossed his scarred face. “Why the long faces? Did the party get canceled?”
Bulkhead shook off his shock first and released a booming laugh, rushing towards his friend. “Ha ha! Jackie!”
Optimus stood back near the humans as his Autobots, his family, came together eagerly. He glanced down at Jack, noticing that Miko was already racing towards the reunited Wreckers. “This was very kind of you to do, Jack.”
The young man shrugged, rubbing the back of his head. “Miko wanted to have a party, and get a gift for Bulkhead. Raf’s the one who found Wheeljack’s comm.”
The warmth in Optimus’ spark spread to the rest of his body, and he very carefully reached out to tap Jack on the top of his head. “Merry Christmas, Jack Darby.”
Jack grinned up at Optimus. “Happy holidays, Optimus Prime.”
