Chapter Text
- I imagine they bond over mutual hatred of Sentinel Prime post-canon. I know, funny, but mutual suffering creates really strong bonds between these bots.
- It’s not even genuine hatred. Like, Jazz will make jokes about Sentinel to Sentinel’s face and Optimus laughs at them. Occasionally, when the Prime frustrates them, they rant to each other about it and both have enough experience with him that they understand.
- But then Jazz starts noticing that he really likes it when he makes Optimus laugh... Like, a lot. He will purposefully do anything he can to see that beautiful smile and those flushed, rosy cheeks. Optimus has a laugh that’s especially goofy, loud and sharp, and he tends to cover his mouth and hunch over as he does it. A lot of their friends tease Optimus for the way he laughs, but Jazz finds it adorable and-
- Ohhhh. Oh, great. Jazz is the first to realize his crush and, because he’s one of the only emotionally mature bots in the series, comes to terms with it very quickly. It could be worse... He just so happens to have a crush on the new Magnus who has a bunch of potential suitors, so he himself has a bunch of competition and there’s a good chance that nothing will come from the crush, but that’s fine, he’s happy with their friendship and wants Optimus to be happy as well.
- Still, he makes the effort to spend more time with Optimus, even with the former Prime being a Magnus now.
- “Hey, Magnus, wanna grab a bite?”
- “Yo, Magnus, you won’t BELIEVE the slag S.P. was talkin about ya today...”
- “Magnus, my mech, you diggin this candle? Yeah, I snagged it on a mission recently, got it for ya...”
- Optimus really appreciates Jazz’s interest in him, and it’s great, because Jazz has always been kind to him and reciprocated his friendship/effort. They’re both laid back personalities with a lot in common, and yes, he has a lot of bots interested in trying to court or befriend him, but a lot of them are only interested because Optimus is Magnus. Jazz was there before that.
- He notices that Jazz is always stopping to talk to him between their jobs, making sure he’s fueled, bringing him treats and gifts that were clearly picked out for him with a lot of thought and care from little things like alien rocks that are his favorite color to expensive jewelry and scented things for his quarters.
- The thought that someone cares for him like that fills him with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but the fact that it’s Jazz specifically makes his spark beat harder in its chamber and against his chest.
- He starts finding any excuse he can to spend time with Jazz, not even sure of why he’s doing it.
- “Jazz, could you come down and assist me with this paper work?”
- “Ah, Jazz, hello, could I get your advice on this?”
- “Jazz, I saw Sentinel Prime earlier, and...”
- Jazz is totally into it. Before anyone else can blink, Jazz has essentially become OP’s unofficial advisor and best friend. Everyone else around them can see what’s happening and makes jokes about it behind their backs, as well as bets on when they’re finally going to get together.
- It all comes to a head for Optimus when him and Ratchet are talking about something in the medic’s med bay when through the large window, he sees Jazz walk by and is totally captivated, watching the beautiful bot walk by, talking and smiling with Sentinel. He’s both in amazement and a little jealous for some reason when Ratchet puts a servo on his shoulder and goes;
- “Kid... Just ask him out already. This is getting so painful to watch that I’ve heard the council is considering arranging for the two of you to bond.”
- The world crashes down on Optimus at the same time that the realization does. He’s liked Jazz for a while and just hasn’t reflected on it, but now he is, and oh shit, he likes Jazz.
- OP being the stupid, passionate bot he is, RUNS out into the hallway and catches Jazz right there, grabbing him by a servo and dragging him away from Sentinel despite the Prime’s protests.
- Jazz goes along with it, honestly thankful to be talking to Optimus instead of Sentinel; a step up, he thinks. He’s dragged back to Optimus’s private quarters with the door shut behind them and Optimus’s servos holding both of his.
- “I like you,” Optimus starts, face on fire and optics trained on Jazz’s visor. Jazz, realizing how serious this is, pulls his servos away, takes his visor off, and then goes back to letting the Magnus hold his servos. “Romantically. Thoughts?”
- Jazz laughs at the blunt, awkward way it’s phrased, but nods and rests his helm against OP’s shoulder.
- “My thoughts are that I like ya, too, O.P. How about we catch a date after we’re off work?”
- “That would be lovely.”
- And then, a kiss.