Pairing: TFA Ratchet/Ultra Magnus

Rating: Mature

Details/Themes: Forbidden love, secret relationship, post-Endgame

Requested by Wiki

Ratchet had seen Ultra in such a state of comatose that he became delirious, eager to smash Shockwave to bits but held back only because he also knew Arcee was in danger as was Captain Fanzone and rash actions weren't something he could afford at that moment. But now the war was finally over and Shockwave was in Trypticon prison for his crimes, he could let go of that anger and channel it into his medical abilities, to help his beloved recover.

Only Perceptor and Alpha Trion knew of their relationship mainly because the Magnus wasn't supposed to have a mate or any relations whatsoever. It kind of got discovered towards the end of the Great War Ultra was seeing him and although Alpha disapproved, he didn't exactly tear them apart. The unwritten rule was the public couldn't know. That would hurt the position and scandals were the last thing the government wanted to deal with.

Ratchet was thrilled when he saw Ultra arrive on the illustrious Steelhaven, formerly known by few bots as Sigma Supreme. It had taken a lot of restraint and faux attitude to cover up his excitement despite Sentinel being there and that night, he never missed Ultra just as much. It was spectacular. Thank Primus the walls were soundproof.

The medic spent almost all day and night with Ultra as Optimus helped Detroit recover while taking on the new temporary position as Magnus. The kid wasn't doing too bad for an Elite Guard dropout. Now he understood what Ultra once told him that Optimus was more than meets the optic. He, of course, didn't acknowledge it back then because the kid wasn't his concern but now they were like a family and Optimus was like his naive but reasonable son. He felt proud to have served by Optimus and he felt Ultra was no doubt just as pleased.

Days turned into weeks and a few mechs often told him Ultra wouldn't recover, that he should give up on the Autobot Leader. But he refused to think that way. Ultra was his and he wasn't going to give up on the one person he loved more than anything until the bitter end. Cosmetically, Ultra was beautiful. His body fixed up and his paint shining almost new but inside, Ultra's spark wasn't responding well. Too many blows to the spark chamber caused a cave in the armor and he hoped that none of it penetrated the spark or there could be unalterable damage. It varied per mech but he didn't want to take the chances.

At one point, Ratchet almost cried. Lubricant began to blind him as his servos grew shaky with the tools they held. He peered down at Ultra and let out a strained brief grunt. It was unfair how the last time he spoke to Ultra, it was an argument about Optimus being leader. He claimed Optimus was a natural but Ultra had doubts; it was a relatively messy fight. That was after the Elite Guard left Earth which during their visit, that was the last time he touched his lover behind the backs of his teammates. Now, he realized he never told Ultra he loved him after that moment on Steelhaven.

Slamming his fist down on the headboard of the computer, he pressed his helm against the desk before glancing idly at Ultra's resting form. He was still breathing, still able to function physically now but would he ever wake up? Some like Sentinel wanted to pull the plug on the Magnus, believing it was time to shove the old out and bring in the new. The title of Magnus was expendable, the life of Ultra was not. Ratchet would be damned if he was going to let the mech die.

"It seems, old friend, we've run into a dilemma. I don't know how I can keep you from leaving me. Please don't leave me."

Ratchet placed a servo on the mech's rising chest, feeling the spark pulse calmly. Lifting himself up to be face to face, he kissed the immobile lips of the Autobot Commander who only twitched ever so slightly from the gesture. Resting his head on the chassis, Ratchet didn't move from his spot as he waited patiently until dawn.

AN: Very sad one this time but not every fic can be happy. Sometimes the reality of a relationship is all it takes to tell the story correctly.