(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Optimus rushed to his quarters, hoping to reach Aquaformer in time. He prayed that she would survive this episode. Soon, he arrived at the door and headed in. Ratchet was there, talking with Aquaformer. Optimus was relieved to see that Aquaformer was safe. "Prime?" Ratchet asked as he had been caught off guard by Optimus' sudden arrival, though the medic should have seen it coming.
"If you don't mind, Ratchet, I would like to spend time with my mate" Optimus stated, trying to shoo the medic out the door.
"Of course" Ratchet stated, and he soon left. He knew when he wasn't wanted or needed anymore.
"Love, are you okay?" Optimus asked, trying to give his mate a soft embrace.
"I'm sorry, love. I haven't been and done what I should. And I guess, I am still fighting old demons" Aquaformer revealed, enjoying the soft embrace.
"You don't have to hide from me. I may not have fought the same type of demons you have, but I understand what it is like to fight them. I have not always been the confident leader I am now" Optimus offered, hoping to reach her.
Aquaformer snuggled closer. "Sometimes, it's so hard not to do things the way I have always done them. I got so used to it that change is hard. I want to change. I want to be a good mate to you and a good mother, but I can't do it alone" Aquaformer stated before delving deep into her personal history of brokenness.
Optimus listened and held his mate close. "I love you and nothing will change that, my love. If you let me, I can help as best I can" Optimus stated, hoping to earn a smile from the femme. He longed to see her beautiful smile and to see her happy once again.
Aquaformer looked into her mate's optics and saw a soft gentleness there as well as understanding and support. She snuggled in closer, seeking his love and warmth. "Thank you" She finally said, "Thank you for loving me for me." She had craved this for so long. She was happy that she had finally found it.
Optimus held her close to himself and smiled, having retracted his battle mask. He kissed her softly on the helm and then the lips. "And thank you, for loving me, faults and all" Optimus replied, also happy to find someone who loved him, faults and all. The pair sat there, in an embrace for a few more minutes of understood silence between the two of them before they both headed to bed, as this whole thing had taken much out of them.
Ratchet, hoping all was okay, went back to check on the pair about thirty minutes after he had left. What he found warmed his spark – Optimus and Aquaformer were sleeping soundly, with Aquaformer tightly curled into her mate and Optimus using his arm to hold her close. Ratchet left as quietly as he had entered. Things were going to be ok, that much he knew. Ratchet went to tell Jazz, Bee, and Mirage what the medic had seen. All were happy to see hear that the two had reunited.