Atonement

Chapter 16—Hiding in a lie

Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.

Ratchet held his Prime until he fell into recharge. Prowl had commed him after he'd been gone a while, and he'd only said two words to the other mech to let him know what was going on—Prime meltdown. It didn't happen very often, thank Primus. Optimus was strong, had always been, and he rarely showed any weakness, and only to those he trusted most. Only a privileged few had ever earned that honor, Ratchet one of the first besides Ultra Magnus and Elita-1.

Even in recharge, with optics dim and his battle mask covering the rest of his face, there was now no outward sign the Autobot leader was in any distress. The worst was over, Ratchet reflected, and he could probably leave, but he wouldn't yet. He would call Hot Rod when he was ready to leave, and he could sit with Optimus, who had done the same for the younger mech on several occasions. It wouldn't hurt, either, considering they were now seeing each other. Ratchet just hoped the courtship was a short one. He could only do so much as a medic, putting the Primes back together after a battle, getting them to talk and open up, but he was betting they could help each other where he couldn't.

He also wished Galvatron's timing was better. His relationship with Starscream was probably inevitable, as was its outcome, but their news managed to unsettle Optimus. There was no doubt it brought up old memories for the Autobot leader. Optimus never mentioned the incident, and besides himself, only Ratchet and Ultra Magnus knew about it. Elita-1 was gone, and Ratchet knew Optimus had long ago buried that part of his past. The femme was sparked once, but lost the sparkling because she'd been injured in battle. Optimus and Ultra Magnus had been devastated by the news, Prime coming completely undone and the other mech more somber, a change that never left Magnus. Then, not long after, Optimus had watched Elita-1 die in the attack on the Ark, and been separated from Magnus. He knew Optimus had never properly mourned Elita's loss, and Magnus had been emotionally scarred by the loss of both of his mates at the same time.

Fate was cruel, Ratchet thought, remembering the first time he'd laid optics on Optimus Prime. It was after the first full-scale attack on Iacon by the Decepticons, and he'd been one of the first medics on the ground after the attack was over. Iacon's forces won, but it almost cost the life of the newly chosen Prime. Ratchet saved his life, but found out something about the Prime that would haunt him the rest of his days.

While working to save the mech's life, he'd discovered not the spark of a mature adult, but a young spark. The bot he'd saved was a mechling with an immature spark upgraded into an adult frame before he was ready. Ratchet was the first to figure out what Alpha Trion had done to not one youngling, but three.

The following confrontation hadn't satisfied Ratchet, only fueling his anger. Alpha Trion had said it was done out of necessity insisting it wasn't just to save their lives, but to fulfill a purpose. And Optimus Prime had surpassed even his high expectations.

Optimus, of course, lived, but had been passed the Matrix. He'd never broken because his spark was strong. Ratchet couldn't deny that, but he knew Optimus Prime and Hot Rod had more in common than anyone could guess—their youthful innocence taken by the brutality of war. No time to adjust to being an adult, let alone the position and responsibility they both inherited. Maybe they could help make each other whole. They complemented each other—where Optimus was calm and experienced, Hot Rod was brash and inexperienced. Also, Optimus helped smooth Hot Rod's rough edges, tempered his anger and hostility while Hot Rod ruffled Optimus to no end.

With a sigh, Ratchet stood, heading back toward the med bay, but not before comming Hot Rod. The younger mech met him in the corridor.

"He needs you," Ratchet said, stopping when he saw Hot Rod. "Just stay with him. I don't want him to be alone, and I have a shift to complete in the med bay. Call me if you need anything."

"What's wrong with Optimus?" Hot Rod asked.

"Just stay with him, like he's done for you," Ratchet said. "Don't push. Just be there. Think you can handle that?"

Nodding in affirmation, Hot Rod let himself into Optimus' quarters.

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Ultra Magnus stood on the balcony of Cyclons's apartment, staring up at the stars. He wondered how Optimus was taking Galvatron's news. He wasn't pleased about it—why did someone like Galvatron deserve such happiness when he and Optimus had lost theirs? He, Optimus and Elita had never bonded, considering it a liability during a war, and once again, a small part of Magnus wished he had. He would've known all that time Optimus was alive, and he'd still be with him now. No changing the past, and he'd made his choice.

He meshed well with Cyclonus, and Magnus was content with the state of their relationship. However, sometimes, he felt it was his obligation to stick it out with the former Decepticon. He had a duty to his Prime and Cybertron, and put the well-being of both before himself. That made him think of one of his old conversations with Optimus, about how he wouldn't be of any use to his Prime if he didn't take care of himself first. Magnus smiled. He did miss Optimus, and again, was content to have his friendship.

Magnus had been happy once, even in the midst of the great war. Even before the war, it was he and Orion Pax against the world, then the two of them and Ariel. Then it was Optimus, Ultra Magnus and Elita-1, and not even the Decepticons could stand before their combined might.

Then he felt the warmth and weight of Cyclonus as he pressed up against him, wrapping his arms around him.

"Thinking about the past?" Cyclonus asked.

"Yes," Magnus said.

"Nothing good comes of it," Cyclonus said. "It's over and done."

Magnus snorted. "You have to have some good memories," he said.

"I do, but what is the point?" Cyclonus said. "We can never go back, reclaim what we once had."

"I know," Magnus said, deciding to change the subject. "Are you prepared to add Vos to your responsibilities?"

"It must be done," Cyclonus said.

Magnus leaned back against him, grateful the other mech was accepting. It would make his job a little easier.