Warnings: No specific warnings this chapter
Disclaimer: Even though we dearly wish we could claim full credit for this, we cannot. We own only the plot.
"What did you wish to speak to me about?" Optimus said with a little concern as he entered Ratchet's office.
"Nothing bad. I simply wish to ask your blessing to take Prowl as my lover. I feel I require your permission because he is not only a fellow officer, but a patient as well."
Optimus chuckled, "Are you telling me you have been celibate this whole time on Earth?"
Ratchet couldn't look his leader in the eye. "Any time I have tried otherwise has felt too much like I was taking advantage."
"Ratchet, if you would find happiness with Prowl, I could not be the one to stand in your way and deny that."
"Prime, Optimus, thank you." Ratchet was so grateful he went to hug Optimus.
Optimus returned the gesture, his spark overflowing with happiness.
Prowl hurried down the corridors of the Autobot base, heading for the med bay. The recording Soundwave had handed him told him everything he needed to know. He might not have realized before that his feelings for Ratchet had shifted, but he knew without a doubt now. The medic was strong, confident, and an excellent compliment personality wise. He'd been so blinded by his misguided affections for Jazz, he hadn't seen the gem that was right in front of him.
Not wanting to allow Ratchet to slip through his servos as Jazz had, Prowl burst into the medical bay, not bothering to knock as he usually would. The sight that greeted him instantly brought him up short. Ratchet was in the middle of a passionate embrace with Prime, the two mechs clearly having a moment. Prowl's spark shattered with the knowledge that the one he loved had, once again, been stolen by another.
Perhaps he wasn't meant to find someone. Perhaps he should stick to what he was good at, paperwork. Turning on his heel and not even bothering to try and stutter out an apology for the interruption, Prowl fled the med bay. He wasn't sure how he made it back to his quarters, but he soon found himself slamming the door to his office shut and locking in behind him. He slid to the ground, arms crossed over knee joints, spark aching.
He couldn't go through this again…He couldn't...
Ratchet was confused by Prowl's reaction. What could have brought him to the med bay in such a rush? And then for him to leave in such a hurry?
Prime had seen the look on his second in command's face. He looked horrified and hurt. Prime had probably just ruined any chance Ratchet had with the mech he loved. "You should go talk to him now."
Ratchet nodded and hurried to Prowl's office, knocking on the door. "Prowl, are you okay? Prime an I are worried about you. You left the med bay in quite a rush." He tried the door, not surprised to find it locked.
Ratchet left, dejected at that answer. Prowl clearly didn't return his feelings. As he walked away, his spark broke. He was a cranky old bot that no other mech would want as a lover, much less a bondmate.
Ratchet holed himself away in his med bay after that, only suffering Jazz's company for any length of time. At least for the first week or so. He did start to try and move on, walling up all the hurt, putting on a brave face. He also tried to talk to Prowl, hoping to at least gain his friendship back, but the mech refused to see him. Even when they had to interact due to paperwork, Prowl would just give him a data pad through someone else.
Frustated he spent most of his free time in the rec room hoping to see Prowl. He sighed as once again, it was Jazz that walked in. The spy walked over to him and Ratchet made room for him to sit with a sigh. "How's Prowl doing?"
"He's buried himself in paperwork. But he's looking tired. I don't think he's recharging well. You should really go see him Ratchet."
Ratchet shook his head. "He won't see me Jazz. I've tried. I'll leave him alone if that's what he wants." Ratchet stood and left, going to hide in his med bay office.
A/N: Sooooo sorry this has taken so long. Real life and moving and all sorts of other such stuff. I'll try to post a few chapters here today. I would say I'm sorry for leaving you on a cliffhanger last chapter, but then I might be lying a little bit. As always though, we love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and having patience with us.