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The outpost is peacefully quiet today, Ratchet remains alone in the former military base. The children are busy with school and the bots are all out on separate missions, each dealing with a sudden decepticon energon mine. Leaving Ratchet alone as usual, anticipating the team's individual arrivals.
He would never say it, but Ratchet becomes quite anxious everytime the team goes out on a mission. Even if it’s something as simple as shutting down an energon mine. He knows the others well enough to know how reckless they can be at times.
Especially Optimus.
Primus knows how many times Optimus has risked his spark making sure the others get to safety before himself. Ratchet knows he means well, but the thought of losing Optimus terrifies him. If he had it his way he would keep Optimus inside, never having to worry about potentially losing their leader. His dearest comrade.
“Ratchet, I need a ground bridge.”
Optimus’s words echo throughout the base, snapping Ratchet back to reality. “Understood.” Ratchet can sense the exhaustion in Optimus Prime’s words.
In a moment Ratchet activates the ground bridge portal, what was mere seconds felt like an eternity for the medic. His spark heavy with anxiety and anticipation, waiting eagerly for his leader to come through.
As the familiar red and blue prime enters, Ratchet's relief quickly turns to distress upon taking in Optimus’s injured state. He was wounded, a servo clutching his right side to prevent energon from seeping out.
“Optimus! What happened to you?!” Ratchet blurts before quickly rushing to Op’s side, placing an arm over his shoulder and helping Prime towards the makeshift repair station. Gently resting the larger mech down on the berth.
Ratchet begins repairing the damaged mesh and metal. His movements are precise and delicate as he repairs the injuries. Gentle and tender, as to not cause further damage.
Prime’s hands are covered in bright blue energon. In a better life Ratchet wishes he could hold them. How he longs to hold the autobot leader in a long gentle embrace.
Ratchet’s mind begins to wander again, thinking about running his servos over the curve of Optimus’s back, tracing lines over every scar and chip in Prime’s armor. He wants nothing more than to show how much Optimus is loved and appreciated.
“I apologize, old friend. I was reckless… I had no idea Megatron would be there-”
“Megatron was there!? Optimus, why didn’t you call for backup!?” Ratchet’s words are sharp but filled with concern. Pausing the procedure. He is violently ripped away from his fantasy. Which is more of a fleeting dream he desperately clings to.
There’s a quiet pause from both of them. “I did not mean to worry you, Ratchet.” Optimus’s words are gentle if not for the slightly sad tone to them.
Ratchet lets out a deep vent before he continues his work. “I know, I didn’t mean to snap at you, Optimus. I’m sorry. It’s just, I’m-” He pauses, “We're worried about you. That’s all. We can’t afford to lose you.”
The mood is tense between them. Guilt resting in the air as Ratchet continues his work. After what felt like forever, Ratchet finished repairing the wound.
“Take it easy Optimus, lest you risk reopening the wound.” Ratchet says as he helps the prime sit up. Placing a hand on Prime’s back for support.
Ratchet doesn’t want to let go, he wants to hold Optimus forever, to know that he is safe. But just as quickly as it happened, the tender moment is over. Optimus rises from the berth. Slow and precise steps begin to walk away from the doctor. “You should get some rest. Go recharge, I’ll wait here for the others to return.” The medic speaks, a slight twinge of melancholy in his words.
“Thank you old friend. I appreciate your concern.”
Optimus turns away, his back facing the doctor as he heads to his recharge station. Ratchet’s gentle smile slowly vanishes.
Once again there is quiet in the base.
Except this time, the silence is deafeningly loud. His spark aches, wanting of a life he knows he can’t have.
How there isn’t anything Ratchet would give to see Optimus smile. To see the exhaustion and pain finally leave Optimus. To live a normal life together.
But no matter how much he longs for this silly dream, Ratchet knows he could never have it. Optimus is a Prime, a leader, a luminary. And Ratchet was just… a medic. Nothing special in compared to Optimus’s radiance. He could never measure up to Optimus’s magnificence.
Besides, Optimus is far too busy to indulge Ratchet’s silly little day dreams.
Ratchet continues to think and think, once again getting lost in his own processor. It wasn’t until he got a transmission from Arcee and Bumblebee that the medic is once again brought back to reality.
“O’-Of course. I’ll activate the ground bridge for you two now.” Ratchet speaks.
He gives one more glance down the hallway, towards the room where Optimus recharges, before making his way to the ground bridge controls.