In the days after they connected, it had been a near constant back and forth between Optimus and Megatronus. They clicked immediately. At some point, Ratchet noticed that they had exchanged comm frequencies. It made Ratchet happy that Optimus had someone else to confide in. It made his job a little easier. After a few weeks Optimus had left for Kaon to try and help Megatronus settle the tensions.

He had to admit, the quietness around the home was nice for the time being. Optimus had been gone for a while, but he had Elita and Ironhide to keep him company.

The silence came with more benefits. He didn't have to split his attention so much when it came to ceremony plans and preparations along with public appeasement. There was only 3 months left until the ceremony.

He had actually gotten around to sending out all the proper invites in time, he had gotten around to taking enough photos for the Chatter account for public assurance before Optimus left, ordered decorations, and he had found the time to squeeze Sunstreaker in for another fitting. He hadn't brought up what they spoke about the last time.

It had been two months since the Prime left and tensions in Kaon had settled quite a bit thanks to Megatronus and Optimus's efforts. Riots were not happening as often, and the mines were once again functional. Optimus of course, called home often. He informed Ratchet of what had happened, and he made sure to keep him caught up and it often led to Optimus speaking very highly of his new found friend, Megatronus.

The last time Ratchet spoke with his consort, Optimus had chatted excitedly on him and Megatronus's accomplishments in Kaon and that they were on their way back to Iacon. He talked about Megatronus an awful lot, Ratchet thought as he flipped through some paperwork to fill out for hiring help for the ceremony. It was nice to see him so relaxed and open, Ratchet had to admit. The way his voice lit up when he spoke about Megatronus was fascinating.

It wasn't hard to tell that Optimus obviously had some form of feelings for the gladiator. His spark twisted funnily again but he merely pushed it aside. They weren't lovers, Optimus was allowed to look elsewhere. He should allow him the same freedom he had granted Ratchet. Besides, it wasn't like it was unheard of for a Prime to have more than one consort.

A part of him felt incredibly guilty. Knowing Optimus, he didn't have the courage to ask something for himself. He should have brought it up. He should encourage him to find happiness in other people. He should find a time to assure him that it was okay with him, just like he had said.

Just then, the sound of the door opening caught his attention. Red walked in, followed by a tall and handsome, silver and red gladiator. Megatronus towered over everyone in the room. He was even taller than Optimus.

Optimus of course followed beside him. "I'm glad to see you home," Ratchet said from his spot on the sofa.

"It's good to be home," he chuckled in return. "Megatronus will be staying with us for a little while. We've got a lot of plans to fill you in on. I didn't want to overwhelm you while I was away," he said.

Ratchet chuckled, shaking his helm. "That sounds alright," he said. "I hope you don't mind that I ordered take-out rather than cook."

"That's fine, Ratchet," he replied sitting down across from him on the other couch along with Megatronus.

Megatronus extended a servo to him. "It's nice to finally meet you outside of politics, Ratchet."

Ratchet took the extended servo with a small smile. "Likewise. I appreciate the work you do for Kaon," he replied.

"Thank you, doctor," he replied. "Speaking of work, I know we just got here but there is much to discuss."

—-

Ratchet blinked at the two of them. "So let me get this straight… You want to start petitioning for change by holding protests?"

Both of them nodded.

He crossed his arms with a faint hum. "It's rather risky. Going directly against the Senate and the Council may not end well…"

"Well yes, but I was thinking about what you had said earlier," Optimus replied. "After the summit, you told me that if I didn't try anything, nothing would work. But indirectly going against the Senate and Council isn't enough. There's too much corruption for us to do that. We need to be direct and pose a threat."

"It's true," Megatron replied. "They don't think of you and Optimus as a threat at all, but they wish to silence me. If all three of us work together, perhaps we will have enough power to turn the tides in our favor," he said.

Ratchet stared at him for a minute, thinking. Weighing the risk v reward. He wasn't sure if it was possible for Sentinel to take away his status, but even if Ratchet and Optimus were stripped of any power, it would be an even stronger statement to the people. Optimus was already well received, they wouldn't want him to fall. With a direct attack, they couldn't hide any redirection they tried.

"Alright," Ratchet sighed. "Let's say we go for it. What's the plan?"

"First we need to get people on our side. We need to create something that's organized," Megatronus replied. "I've already got some people. I've spoken to Senator Soundwave, Winglord Starscream, and a professor at Kaon University named Shockwave. They're recruiting on their own and I've received word that they're having some success. I have a feeling if we do this and we move now, they will never see us coming. Sentinel is a puppet that doesn't want to move at all, not this close to retirement. Once Optimus and you are legally bonded, all power that Sentinel has will be passed to Optimus immediately."

"I see… and you want to meet our opponent with an ambush right around the corner and take care of it as soon as Optimus has all power reverted to him."

"Precisely."

Ratchet turned it over in his helm. He couldn't find too many angles where this could go incredibly wrong, even if they started before the turn of the Primehood, what would the Council and Senate do? Protest was legal on Cybertron for every citizen. Optimus and himself were citizens.

He chuckled. They could put the Council and the Senate into checkmate. It seems that Megatronus was simply the last piece of the puzzle.

"Alright, I'm in," Ratchet said leaning forward.

They spoke on the plans for a little while more before turning to more casual manners. The entire time, he noticed, Megatronus seemed very polite towards him. It was small and subtle, but it was like he didn't really want to look Ratchet in the optics.

He watched them closely through the conversation. The way Optimus seemed to be even more genuine around Megatronus. They way his optics lit up with joy when he told Ratchet stories of things they had done together in Kaon.

It was very subtle. The way they seemed to keep a respectful distance. It seemed very intentional, and it was like they were refraining themselves.

Something odd tugged at his spark in the few instances they fell quiet and looked away from each other. Something inside him filled him with guilt.

Later that night, Optimus had retired to his berthroom rather early, having grown exhausted from the journey home. Ratchet had gone to take a walk out in the garden to admire the luminescence of the crystals in the dusk and try and clear his helm. To try and get rid of the gross pulsing feeling that clawed the inside of his chamber.

He was merely walking and he certainly wasn't expecting to meet a gladiator out here.

He halted seeing the large mech's towering silhouette in the gazebo. He turned to Ratchet.

Ratchet looked up in surprise. "Megatronus. Sorry, I didn't expect to have company out here," he chuckled.

Megatronus gave Ratchet a wry smile. "My apologies. I didn't intend to intrude. I can leave if you wish."

"Oh no, no. You didn't. I just forgot that we had a guest over, I suppose. It's a small adjustment after a while of being alone, more or less," he hummed.

"Yes, yes. It makes sense," he replied, sitting down and looking out towards the gardens. "It's rather beautiful," he murmured. I haven't gotten to see too many clear skies before. Kaon can be quite polluted at night because of the mines."

Ratchet took a seat as well, nodding. "Yes, I've heard something like that," he replied.

The gladiator chuckled faintly. "Even still, Optimus found a certain appeal to Kaon. Something about how it was always awake. He thought the city's silhouette was more beautiful with the clouded sky. Something about it being more romantic…" He chuckled softly.

Ratchet chuckled. "He can be like that sometimes. He finds a lot of things beautiful. I suppose one does when you grow up so sheltered."

Megatronus nodded, his optics still focused on the skies. "I've met many people, but I've never connected with anyone quite like I have with him," he chuckled. "You're very lucky to have him," he said softly.

Ratchet's spark twisted again. He had been wondering if that connection was spoken or not.

Megatronus looked over at him. "I'm glad I found you alone out here. It's a little embarrassing for me to admit. Although I was prepared to stop you before you went to recharge no matter what. I wouldn't want to rest in your home without having this conversation. The guilt is too great for me to bear…" he said, turning to Ratchet and lowering his helm a little and bending gently at the waist in a show of respect. "I would like to apologize. Even if it wasn't intentional, I overstepped. Optimus is promised to you, and I still… I still had my intentions with him…" he said softly. "I promise you, Optimus didn't betray you in any way. Even so, I shouldn't have had my flirtations with him… I ought to know better than that," he said softly. "I understand if you want me to leave… I have no objections to distancing myself from Optimus if you wish."

His internals twisted painfully. He wanted to agree to this. He wanted Megatronus to distance himself, and he wanted their secret to remain untouched and in trustworthy servos. He wanted this to be uncomplicated. He couldn't even explain it, but he didn't want anything to change between him and Optimus. He certainly didn't want another mech between them…. But he couldn't do that to Optimus…

He knew it would be painful for Optimus to try and turn Megatronus away. In his spark, he knew it would be wrong to deny him of this. Not when he knew Optimus would grant him this happiness if their positions were reveresed. In his helm there was only one way to set this right… Images of his smile, his laugh, his lively optics…those were the most real things he had ever seen from Optimus…He knew what was th right path as Megatronus stood to leave Ratchet. "Actually… Megatronus…" he said slowly, stopping him from turning away.

The gladiator looked up at Ratchet with a curious look.

Ratchet chuckled awkwardly, hiding a pained look. "Look. It isn't a secret that Optimus is a little naive. He's kept me updated on what's been going on and from our talks, it's pretty obvious that he cares for you…quite a lot actually." He felt his voice crack a little bit. He looked up at him to meet his optics. He looked quite puzzled at this.

"I don't really understand, Ratchet. I've admitted to pining for your intended and encouraging reciprocation…Aren't you angry with me…? Don't you want me to leave?" He asked slowly. "Especially if Optimus has admitted to caring about me?"

"No… because even if Optimus is my intended, we aren't lovers…He's only a good friend." he said softly. Part of his mind begged him to stop. To tell this mech to take his leave. He looked back at the shocked gladiator. "The bond between Optimus and I is purely arranged… We both kind of got ourselves trapped in it."

He blinked slowly. "So… so you're saying that you and Optimus aren't…. Together."

"That is correct," he replied softly. "Optimus and I are political partners and friends. We do not love each other. We like the media to think otherwise, of course. With the current affairs of the world, it's more beneficial to put on a show, acting like we're in love when we only met a few months ago," he chuckled. "It's… all part of the game," he said sadly.

"I fail to see how he hasn't charmed you already," he chuckled.

Ratchet chuckled dryly. "Yes, well, you became interested in him. I was driven here and expected to fall in line. It's hard to forget that I'm here because those I care about could be facing some serious hardships if I don't comply…" he replied softly. "It's hard to fall in love with something like that on your shoulders…besides. He obviously prefers your company," he replied looking back up at him.

Megatronus fell quiet.

Ratchet continued looking up at him. "We've grown to be good friends, though. That's all I really wanted," He replied softly, a piece of ice falling through his spark. Liar, it whispered. "Optimus promised me the freedom of seeking out another if I happened to want to. I return the favor. As long as you're discreet, we shouldn't have any issues," he said softly with a small smile. "So you have my blessing."

Megatronus gave him another wide smile. "I can't express how much this means to me."

Ratchet gave him a faint smile as a reply. "I can't tell you how much this will mean to Optimus," He chuckled. "Just do me a favor, and treat him better than I ever could with my mere companionship. And once again, discretion is of the utmost importance."

Megatron bowed his helm once again to him. "I cannot thank you enough for your blessing, Ratchet. I will be sure to give him what he deserves."

Ratchet and him conversed for a moment longer trading a goodnight, before Ratchet returned to his own room. His spark spun uneasily with every step he took. Once he got through the door, he felt his knees wobble under him, his spark churning mournfully.

His entire frame trembled with an unspoken and unknown phantom pain as he fell to the floor.

What was going on? He clutched at his aching spark, tears brimming his optics. Why was he doing this? What was this strange feeling of loss?

He collapsed into the welcoming softness of the berth, trying to drown the crawling sensation. Pins and needles prickled at his cheeks. The unpleasant feeling accumulated in his vocalizer. He choked on it, it coming out in a soft muffled sob.

Hours later, drifted off; his pillow damped, his spark churning like a choppy ocean, and his mind replaying the sweet sound of his friends laughter.

He couldn't deny that a part of him wanted to take that blessing back…