(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Several hours later, Optimus felt more like himself though his systems were still recovering. He didn't realize that he was still in the med bay, as Ratchet hadn't wanted to release him until Ratchet was certain Optimus was back to his usual baseline. Aquaformer was dozing in a med bay chair, not wanting to leave Optimus alone after sparking the way Optimus had done to Aquaformer. Aquaformer, even dozing, was happy that the six little ones they had were being watched over by various trustworthy bots, specifically split between Bee and Mirage with three and Jazz and Prowl with the other three.
Optimus soon roused with a grunt, causing Aquaformer to rouse and Ratchet to come over. "He okay, Ratchet?" Aquaformer asked, hoping this wasn't a post sparking complication.
Ratchet scanned the Prime. "He's fine. His systems were just really low on energon and in great pain. He should be back to himself soon."
Aquaformer smiled as she was happy to hear that. "I'm glad that he will be okay. I was worried about him, especially since this was his first sparking" Aquaformer replied.
"Well, I did have to remove his smaller sparkling development chamber as it was not healthy after carrying one sparkling, but he still has his main one should it ever be needed again" Ratchet stated.
"Hopefully, it won't be needed again" Aquaformer answered.
"Are you planning to stop having more sparklings?" Ratchet asked.
"No, I want more. My plan is that I carry from now on now matter what as he shouldn't have to take over something that should be my responsibility" Aquaformer answered. "Seeing him struggle made me realize just how much he really loved me. He didn't have to take these little ones. I would have carried them, whether it wore on my systems or not. He did it out of love. Sometimes I feel like I still don't deserve him and his love."
Ratchet placed a hand on Aquaformer's shoulder. "He loves you, Aquaformer. Never forget that your love saved our Prime more than once" Ratchet stated. Aquaformer nodded. Ratchet then walked off again, leaving Aquaformer with the now rousing Optimus.
"Did I miss something?" Optimus asked.
Aquaformer shook her helm, hoping he hadn't heard her silly worries. "Nope. I was just waiting for you to be better before we named our four new little ones."
Optimus looked to his mate. It was obvious something was eating at her, at least to Optimus. "You may not feel like you deserve my love, but there is no one else I have loved as much as you" Optimus suddenly said, having read her anxious spark pulses.
Aquaformer was a bit confused at that. "What do you mean?" She asked stunned, unaware he spark had revealed these feelings to her mate.
"Your spark told me, my love. I love you so much" Optimus responded, raising his hand to gently stroke her face. Aquaformer nuzzled the hand that Optimus had placed on her cheek. She loved her mate so much. They could name the sparklings in a little while, right now they just needed each other and feel each other's support.