Months passed, and warmth was something Optimus never knew he would be blessed with again. Taylor's company not only improved his old friend's mood, but her sweet and gentle demeanor was comforting in the small base. Slowly, ever so slowly, the small place was becoming home. As the Prime would walk around, looking for things to pass the time with, the walls would look brighter instead of enclosed like a prison. Though his family was now small in size, it was big in heart. Ratchet was calm and more encouraging, even through his pain. Optimus continued to worry over him, but it gradually went down as he saw his emotional health improve. Taylor was growing ever sweeter, her true, unafraid colors slowly cracking her frightened shell. She was always with Ratchet, no matter where they went, which wasn't very much or far. Optimus was very fond of their company, and even though he was often still the non-conversationalist Prime, listening to them talk and seeing them bond was enough for him.

When the Autobots and Taylor went back to the mine to restock on Energon, Nurse Darby was almost always there, waiting for them. This made Optimus glad that she still felt closeness to them, even after what had happened to Jack. June would talk to them about the improvement of the human base, and one day, she wasn't the only one waiting for them. The voted "leaders" of the human association were also there, convinced by the nurse to join her. Everyone had been surprised, and the new people were most certainly frightened, due to their previous encounters with creatures like them. It had taken a lot of persuading from the Autotbots and human friends alike to convince them that Optimus and Ratchet meant no harm. Optimus offered protection to the humans, while Taylor promised that Ratchet would improve their technology. The medic had been skeptical at first, but during his time on Earth he had grown a liking for the humans, though he would never admit that. He agreed to their terms gently and without a fuss, which everyone was grateful for. Over time, more and more humans came to see their "protectors", and trust grew within the ranks. Optimus was nearly overjoyed with how well it was working out; and the people seemed ecstatic as well as Ratchet proved his intelligence to them by giving them higher suited tech. Ratchet was glad that, so far, the humans were too afraid to be greedy, and would only ask for things that were in everyone's best interests. He knew if their pride grew to high, their lives could be in danger.

It was a time before Optimus knew of Ratchet and Taylor's actual relationship, which surprised the Prime exponentially. Taylor had admitted it out of embarrassment when Optimus had caught her pecking the medic's faceplate lovingly. Ratchet had been much too flustered and embarrassed to say anything, a hot blue over his entire expression. The Prime had had no idea how to reply, his optics blinking a few times as it sank in. The air was uncomfortable, and eventually he began asking questions. Taylor answered truthfully, while Ratchet avoided optic contact. His behavior was almost funny to the Prime. It had been a long time since he had seen him that way, the last time being before the war. As Taylor explained as calmly as she could, Optimus slowly began to relax. It was something completely unexpected, but as he looked at them and their behavior for the next coupe of days, he found himself happy for them. They truly seemed to make each other happy, even in that dying world. Seeing them actually enjoying themselves after everything that they had seen and gone through gave Optimus extreme relief. The two slowly realized that their leader approved of them being together, and the air once again became cheerful. Optimus decided to himself that he would tell June about them later, not wanting to worry her or make her uncomfortable.

The Autobot leader missed his family terribly. Some days there was so much loneliness it hurt. His spark would ache for those he had lost over the years, not just the family he had made on earth, but the comrades he had lost during the war for Cybertron. He would often find himself lost in his memories of them, both the good and bad ones. However, he was slowly, ever so slowly, growing past the pain. He knew that deep inside, he would always know that loss, and that there would be times when it would come back to haunt him. But his previous promise kept him going; he wasn't going to let his team down again. He would be there for them, no matter what. It wasn't only the promise that encouraged him to take more steps forward. The love between him and his family now made his spark float in a unrelenting feeling. He was so proud for them, and loved them dearly. He wanted to always watch over them, but there were also times he knew that they watched over him as well. He was grateful for everything Ratchet had done for him, the loyalty and devotion of his best friend lifting his spirit. Taylor was always making sure he felt alright, talking to him more and more and enjoying herself. She was kind and caring, and very gentle. He admired her for that. June and the humans were so grateful and happy for everything for the Autobots, and did whatever small things they could to return the favor. Optimus found himself enjoying himself when the small human children would come out and do their best to play with the aliens. They loved to talk to him, and sometimes he would talk to them, telling them tales of their world before the war, and how it had been beautiful and boastful in life.

It was one late night that Optimus returned from a time with those said children to the place he know called home. Ratchet was there waiting for him, his optic brightening ever so slightly when he saw him arrive. Optimus gave his old friend a smile, which the medic returned. Taylor was laying on her stomach across her special place atop Ratchet, between his shoulder plate and neck cables. She was fast asleep, her head in her crossed arms, her breathing slow and even. Optimus' gaze softened as his optics rested on them, his smile growing warmer. Ratchet flushed a little, covering a grin behind his digits. Optimus nodded to his friend and made his way to the berth, deciding to recharge for the night.

He paused, his helm turning back to Ratchet. "Are you sure you do not want to take the berth tonight?" he asked worriedly, noting the medic's weak stature.

Ratchet shrugged slightly, glancing at Taylor to make sure he hadn't knocked her off balance. "I feel fine, Optimus, though I appreciate the offer."

The Prime didn't feel like arguing, so he nodded and went and sat on the berth. He didn't lay down, as he had previously intended, instead looking up at the ceiling and going deep into thought. "It has been some time now, hasn't it?"

Ratchet nodded, walking to the end of the berth and leaning on the wall behind it. "Yes, it has. Nearly seven earth months, I believe." He once again glanced down to his sleeping lover, and grinned warmly, just a little bit. "It's almost hard to believe."

Optimus nodded. "Though many things have happened, we seem to have found some peace for now."

"But how long will it last, I wonder?" the old medic sighed, his expression falling slightly. He leaned his helm again the wall and closed his optic.

Optimus' gaze grew concerned. "I do not think it would be best to dwell upon that." The sadness would always be there, but he didn't want to let it overcome him, or his friend.

"I... just can't seem to move past it," Ratchet said quietly, his expression sad and sparkbroken. "And I always fear that the happiness we have now will come to a painful end."

It both surprised and hurt Optimus to see his old friend this way. While Ratchet had always been grumpy and realistic, this was worse than that. Ratchet seemed to have given up on hope for good things. The Prime realized painfully that he was still stuck in the past. Ratchet was in even worse shape then himself.

"I do not wish you to befall in despair, old friend," Optimus told him gently, standing up.

The medic cringed, opening his optic slightly. "I'm a doctor," he muttered quietly. "And yet, all of those times, I could do nothing. They all died, and there was nothing, absolutely nothing, that would bring them back." He closed his optic again, gritting his denta.

Optimus could tell he was fighting tears and felt his spark sink. He could see the guilt and regret fresh in the old medic, and could relate to it. Optics widening in surprise, he found that he, too, was the same as his friend. Guilt flowed within him, guilt for not being the leader he wanted to be. Not being the protector he had hoped to be. Failing to keep them from harm. His chassis deflated slightly in realization that they were both stuck, not able to move on. The faceplates of his family, the Autobots, the children, rushed by in his processor.

"Optimus?" Ratchet called silently, realizing his leader had gone silent.

The Prime looked back to his friend, his optics lined with tears he could not help from rising. The medic jumped in surprise, having never seen him this way, even before he became a Prime. Carefully, he approached his friend and slowly placed a consoling servo on his arm. Optimus looked away, regretfully and ashamed.

"I am no better," came his reply. "I cannot seem to overcome this guilt within myself."

Ratchet blinked, before a ghost of a smile appeared on his derma. "It looks like we have a long way to go, doesn't it, old friend?"

Optimus' helm turned back to him, a gentle smile playing at his expression. "It seems so, Ratchet."

The medic started when he felt Taylor sit up from beside his helm. Her face was sad, her big blue eyes downcast. She reached up and wiped her eye, her finger coming down wet. When she finally looked up to them, her face was red and her eyes soaked with tears. Her expression, however, was serious. She smiled at them sadly, reaching up and gently placing a hand on Ratchet's helm.

"Taylor?" he said quietly, looking at her worriedly.

"No one who would see their family die would get over it easily," she told in assurance, her voice gentle and kind. "It takes time to move past our feelings, whatever they may be." She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on her hands, which were still on his helm. "I'm still moving past my own experiences."

The two mechs listened to her intently, their expressions softening.

"So, please, don't feel like you're stuck here," she whispered in a weak voice, her voice cracking. "We can go forward, together. It will take time, but we're here for each other. We're family." She kissed the medic's metal cheek.

They blinked at her, the words sinking in. In a single moment, it felt like a crushing weight was lifted from their shoulder plates. Their chassis seemed to relax as one, their expressions calm. Optimus smiled warmly, and his spark felt weightless. Ratchet was still in shock for a few moments, before a bright, completely relieved smile burst to his derma. He reached up and hugged her tightly with it, turning his helm to nuzzle her.

"Together," he said quietly, kissing her hair gently.

Optimus placed a servo on his friend's shoulder plate, to which Ratchet turned his helm with a welcome grin. It seemed they had both gained something they thought to have never seen again. Optimus was truly happy for the first time in years, and his smile turned into one you had never seen from a Prime before.

"Family," he repeated.

The three of them looked at each other, grinning gently. A wave of happiness washed over each of them, and goodness was left in their home.

But like all good things, it couldn't last.

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Yay, another chapter for this book out!!

I got real emotional during this one.