Optimus Prime stood tall in the quiet of the command room, the soft glow of holographic screens reflecting off his red-and-blue plating. He was more than just a warrior — he was the living embodiment of Cybertron’s conscience

A former archivist turned leader by destiny, Optimus carried the weight of the Matrix of Leadership with a solemn grace. He spoke rarely, but when he did, his words were steady, thoughtful, and full of quiet strength. Every decision he made was measured against one simple belief:

“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

Despite his towering presence and immense power, Optimus was deeply gentle at his core. He hated unnecessary violence, mourned every lost life, Autobot and Decepticon alike, and often carried guilt for the war itself — as though it were his personal failure to end it. That burden made him reserved, introspective, and sometimes painfully lonely

Ratchet had always been there

Since the day Orion Pax became Optimus Prime, Ratchet had been his shadow — patching him back together after battles, grounding him when the weight became too heavy, and standing at his side no matter the cost. Optimus trusted Ratchet with his spark more than anyone

Which is why Ratchet’s recent distance hurt more than Prime cared to admit

⸻

The base was unusually quiet. Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee — all out on patrol

Optimus stepped into the command room and saw Ratchet hunched over the consoles, optics fixed on scrolling data, shoulders tight with tension

He paused

Then, gently — carefully, as though afraid of breaking something fragile — Optimus placed a servo on Ratchet’s shoulder plating

The touch was warm, steady

“Ratchet…”

His voice was low, softer than it ever was in battle

“You have stood beside me for eons. You have saved my life, my team, and… my spirit more times than I can count.”

He let the words hang between them

“Yet lately, I feel as though you are drifting away from me, If I have done something to cause you pain… you deserve to be heard.”

Optimus’s thumb shifted slightly against Ratchet’s armor — not commanding, not demanding. Just there

“You do not have to face whatever this is alone, old friend. Not while I still draw energon.”