Chapter Text
A young child from Raf's class has one wish; to ride in that big red truck that is sometimes seen near the camero Raf uses for transportation.
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Raf stood up from his desk and started to pack up his backpack. It was Thursday, and tomorrow was 'catch up day' for his class. The students that didn't have any missing or late work were free to hang out in the library or gym to do whatever. Obviously, Raf fell into the second group. He thought about reading his new chapter book in the library, then tinker with his laptop.
"Hi, Raf..." A weak voice greeted the preteen, pulling Raf out of his thoughts.
"Oh, hey Markus!" Raf greeted the boy. "How're you doing?"
A skinny, sickly looking boy wearing a blue beanie and cozy clothing stood in front of Raf. He was the same height as his prodigy of a peer, but had his head and shoulder slumped forward from fatigue. He had his arms crossed loosely, hugging himself. Markus easily chilled, and it was a common sight to see him snuggled up in two jackets and a thick hat.
"My parents let me come to school today. And I managed to not fall asleep during last period." Markus reported with a tired smile.
"That's great to hear. Usually you pass out during math." Raf commented, praising his friend. "You think that means you're healing?"
Markus shrugged. "I think so. I hope. Then when I come back to school, we can play with our RC cars again." He glanced out the window that was behind Raf.
"But...I wanted to ask you something."
Raf perked up, growing curious as he adjusted his backpack. "Sure. Can we head to the exit while we talk?"
"Yeah. I have the energy." Markus agreed, following his classmate out of the homeroom.
"You ride in your friend's camero alot."
Raf nodded. "Yeah, I guess."
"But sometimes, I see a big blue and red truck following it when you come to school. And sometimes when you get picked up too."
Raf didn't say anything, waiting for Markus to continue.
"I was wondering if you could ask the driver if I can ride with him. Just one time. It looks so much fun." Markus admitted, nervousness in his voice. "If you can't ask, can you tell me who owns the truck? Then I could tell my parents to ask them."
Raf shook his head quickly, waving him off. "No, I can ask him. I'm sure he would agree to it."
"Are you sure?" Markus coughed a bit, using his sleeve to cover his dry mouth.
"Yeah. But I'll talk to him today. Are you open to doing a ride this weekend?"
Markus thought for a moment. He seemed reluctant, and almost forlorn. But he nodded rather solemnly. "Yea. I'll make sure of it."
As Raf bade the child goodbye, he thought about his friend's condition. Markus wasn't doing too good nowadays, and even when he had the energy to go to school, the frail boy was quick to fall asleep after a few hours.
Bumblebee was parked in front of the school, right on schedule. The youngling opened up his door for his human comrade.
*How was school?* Bee trilled politely, waiting for Raf to set down his bookbag and buckle up.
"Fine. Though, I have to ask Optimus something."
*Wanna comm him? He's gonna be back from patrol in, like, five minutes.*
Raf was about to answer yes to that purposal, but stopped himself. "Eh...I think I need to ask him face to face."
*Can I ask what it might be?*
Bee took off down the highway leading out of town, his radio quietly playing songs from both Cash and Presley. New favorites of his.
"A friend of mine isn't feelimg well, and he took a liking to Optimus. He's a big fan of trucks. And..." Raf turned his view to the outside, taking in the passing Nevada desert. "He's just...sick. Really, really sick..." The words hung heavy in the air.
*...As sick as when Dad was infected?* Bumblebee dared to ask, his spark sinking.
"Yeah. Times two." Raf confirmed. "His name is Markus. We've been friends since 2nd grade. I really hope I can tell him yes."
*Dad will agree to it.* Bumblebee promised. *He won't need convincing. He's done this for dying soldiers back on Cybertron.*
"That...makes sense." Raf realized. "Did you see it happen alot?"
*Yeah...but Dad dosen't like that fact.* The scout admitted, reaching the base's hidden mountain entrance.
Raf was more confident in the purposal, but he still wished to explain himself. Only one way to find out for sure.
~~~~~~~~
Bumblebee pulled into the base, transforming after Raf exited his cab. He let the boy crawl into his servo and set him on his shoulder.
Optimus was polishing one of his servo blasters, sitting in a corner of the main area. Quiet as ever, the Prime's helm turned up from his work to see his charge and human friend approach him.
"Hey Optimus," Raf greeted the leader, whom sat up straight now. Raf couldn't help but be reminded of the paintings of kings in history class...
"Hello Rafael. Bumblebee." He nodded to the duo, sensing that a conversation was starting. "Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
"Uh...Yeah. Though it's not anything big." Raf explained with hesitance. He'd never asked for something from the Autobot leader before. And in a way, it felt wrong.
"Please elaborate. If I am able to help, I will do so." Optimus implored, never taking his optics off the boy.
"Well, there's a classmate of mine who's been sick for quite awhile. He sees me get picked up every now and then. And he saw you a few times too, when you and Bee have your drive together and you come get me at the end of it." Raf explained, adjusting his glasses. "He asked me if he could ride in the freight truck. I told him I'd ask the owner...it was better to just say that instead of the truth."
Optimus looked to Bumblebee, the scout's optics dialating.
"You mentioned that he is ill..." His voice was hollow.
Raf nodded. "Not like a cold though. He has something called cancer."
*Cancer?* Bumblebee inquired, his helm tilting slightly.
"It's a disease humans can get. It can be really bad in some cases. Markus is one of them..." Raf's eyes cast downwards, clearly saddened by this fact.
Optimus keyed up information on the ailment on his visual comm, taking in the reports and history. "I see. It is similar to certain forms of internal Energon reversal."
"Energon reversal?" It was Raf's turn to ask questions now.
Optimus grew even more solemn than usual. "Much like the human sickness that is cancer, energon reversal acts against a Cybertronian's frame. Instead of the Energon working for the body, it slowly tears it down cell by cell."
Bumblebee's spark was sinking, realizing that the two species' ailments were practically alike. And it made him feel sick.
*Dad...That happened to Jazz's brother.*
"Blaster's case was caught early, thankfully. Though he is not without his scars." The Prime recalled the former DJ's compromised and weakened chassis. He was decommissioned as a fighter and sent to work behind a desk. The disease also left emotional damage via Blaster's feelings of inadequacy.
"....I'm sure Markus' case will improve, Bee." Raf assured the scout. "There's all sorts of treatment now." Though, even in his young mind, he was unsure.
Bumblebee hummed, his optics growing and shrinking as he glanced at the boy sitting on his shoulder. His doorwings raised slightly.
It wasn't too unfamiliar of a situation to Raf, comforting a younger person. It was a common occurrence in his large family. Despite being physically older, Bumblebee was more like a little brother to the human child. While the scout knew how to protect, his ability to process certain emotions and concepts was rather stunted. But Raf was glad to offer reassurance to the youngling, as well as explanations when he could.
*Maybe fulfilling his wish will help him feel better?* Bumblebee offered, looking back up at his father.
Optimus gazed down at the two, his optics adjusting. He wasn't sure if it would help with recovery, but it would definitely lift this peer's spirits.
"Make sure his family knows beforehand." He warned.
And thus, 'Operation: Make a Wish' was put into action. Somehow, Bumblebee's excitement showed more than Raf's!
Said boy gave the scout a hi-five on the youngling's index digit.