The silence in the base was unbearable. Conversations halted when either of you entered the room, optics darting between you and Ratchet like watching a battlefield no one wanted to step into. Seven days had passed since the fight—seven days of cold avoidance, of sidelong glances that never met, of words left unsaid.

Optimus sighed, his voice calm but firm. “It’s been long enough. Whatever happened between you two, it’s time to move on.”

Ratchet stiffened across the room, his servos curling into fists. You remained still, unwilling to be the first to break. Neither of you wanted to admit fault, neither willing to reopen the wounds of whatever was said in the heat of the moment. But the weight of the rift between you was beginning to fracture more than just your relationship—it was affecting the whole team.

Optimus looked between you both, waiting. The ball was in your court now. Would you keep up the silence, or was it time to face the storm?