Optimus's eyes flick a shade dimmer at listening to Shockwave's voice, more alive now than it had ever been in the last four million years. It was like music, although it was a sadder tune, full of pain and sorrow. And for a moment, Optimus just drowns himself in it. The light projection takes a backseat to just hearing his friend, someone he'd waited so long to see again, seeing them again here...

A trick of the optics wasn't so bad...it was more than what reality had ever given him.

Something in his system hitches as he feels Shockwave move closer, his forehead slowly looming towards his. Those eyes flick down, looking at how his friend had once been, drinking it in. Because if this was an illusion, he wanted to be fooled for as long as possible.

"This once." he repeats, voice as soft as it's ever been.