InvaderAutumn
TFP Optimus x Ratchet
During the War
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After greeting some bots at base and giving them a pat on the back after the latest raid, Optimus went in search of his mate.

The first place he checked was the Medbay, but the medic was nowhere in sight. Everything was tidied up and organized, which meant Ratchet had been there earlier. The next place he checked was the lounge, where Ratchet often hung out while reading a datapad. Strange... he wasn't there either. The last place that Ratchet could possibly be was their berthroom.

Optimus silently strode down the hall, nodding respectively to passing Autobots. He took a right down another hall and paused at the first door on the left, which was the door to their berthroom. He stood there for a moment before gently knocking on its surface with his knuckle. "Ratchet, love, are you in there?"

"Yes, Optimus..." came the sullen reply, immediately alerting Optimus that something was wrong.

Optimus slowly opened the door and peered inside, spotting his mate sitting on the berth with his head in his hands. His gaze softened and he stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and made his way over to the berth. He sat down next to Ratchet and folded his hands in his lap.

"Twenty-five recruits, Optimus. Twenty-five. More than half of them weren't even old enough to handle a gun! And they're all dead.... because I couldn't get to them in time.." Ratchet mumbled, rubbing his optics and sighing heavily.

"Ratchet... you tried your best—" Optimus tried to soothe Ratchet, but was cut off by a slight growl from the medic.

"Tried my best? I could've saved them! They died alone and afraid because I couldn't reach them! No one even knew what happened to them!" Ratchet retorted, tears in his optics as he looked at Optimus. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"Of course it does!" Optimus replied, pulling Ratchet close and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "It's just.... we're in a war, Ratchet. Terrible things that are out of our control are going to happen. It hurts me deeply when lives are lost, but it hurts me even more when my mate thinks that he didn't do good enough. You try your best every day. You are an extremely talented medic and we are more than happy to have you..." he lowered his voice to a whisper, nuzzling Ratchet's helm.

Ratchet sniffed as more tears welled up in his optics and his hugged Optimus, burying his face in the Prime's neckcables.

Optimus sighed and wrapped his arms around his mate, pulling him into his lap as he slid further onto the berth. He gently rubbed Ratchet's back and nuzzled his helm affectionately, trying to provide as much comfort as possible.

After a few minutes, Ratchet's crying ceased to small whimpers and his shoulders sagged a bit. He clung to Optimus like his life depended on it and melted into his soothing warmth. "I'm sorry, Optimus...." he whimpered, taking in a shaky breath.

"Don't be sorry, Ratchet... You did nothing wrong.." Optimus murmured, holding Ratchet close and kissing his helm lovingly. "I love you for who you are. Always remember that."

Ratchet couldn't help but smile a bit, cuddling up against his mate and sighing heavily. "I love you so much.... I couldn't ask for a better sparkmate.." he whispered.

Optimus chuckled and curled around Ratchet, nuzzling him gently and lightly kissing his cheek. "I'm glad.." he purred, holding the medic close and sighing heavily.

593 words