I'm afraid my concept of Mild is difficult to gauge these days. I fear I may have truly hurt him. I'm also singed and scorched in my paint, with other battle damage.
He was lucky I could hold back as much as I did, Ratchet.
[ There's a deep shame in his voice. ]
I had an encounter with my Megatron as well. But we did not fight. I only have a carved into arm from the incident.
Sounds like somethin' went down. [he clips his case closed.] Do you... worry you might lose control and deactivate someone? You're under a lot of pressure. You did hold back, Prime. That's the important thing.
We may not be from the same universe as you, but I'd hope you'd at least take the opinions of the other Autobots here. We've all come from the war.
[he falls silent as he walks along the hallway, looking for the right room, thinking over how to approach this with an optimus he doesn't know at all.]
I think we all start to have questions like that when we've been fighting long enough. The fact you're worried about it at all is a better sign than just ignoring it.
I appreciate all your kindness, Ratchet. I am too hesitant to lean on others, I forget what it feels like to have someone there.
I'm usually the one others have to rely on. [ Optimus goes to lay on the floor of his room. It's cool down there, good for the burns. ]
Not that no one ever tries, I think we had all Forgotten I'm fallible. [ There's a pause and then Optimus adds. ] When you enter, don't be alarmed I'm on the floor, I'm simply tired...
On the... oh, Prime. [he gets to the door, finally, keying it open and clomps in, setting his medical case down. ratchet sits near optimus's head, lifting it gently so it can rest on his leg kibble, maybe slightly more comfortable than the floor. he can do the basic checks like this.] Hey.
[he starts running all his own internal scans before he gets the tools out.]
None of this is too bad. I'll have you back to normal in half a cycle or so. Physically. I think we need to have a serious chat about how you're doin' mentally.
A cycle or so. I see, that's a relief. Can you start with this first? I don't want Megatron's marks on me. [ Optimus lifts his arm to his chest. The scratches are deep but manageable. ]
[ He gives a half-hearted laugh. ] In the end, I guess I'm not escaping a chat.
I was gonna start on the burns, but-- yeah, sure. Anythin' you want, Prime. [he doesn't move-- he can't reach all of optimus from this position, but he can work on the chest damage, at least.] Megatron attacked you? What happened?
[he can't help resting a hand on optimus's helm for a moment.]
It was my verse's Megatron. The Antlers. I went to him, he was familiar enough that I thought I could foolishly have a moment of comfort being near him.
Instead, I found myself cornered and my arm ripped into. He wanted me to talk to him. He tried to touch my face.
I was stupid, I came into this dimension after he killed me with that cannon. I don't know if what I left behind is safe. It was meant for Earth and I dived for it.
I left everyone at his mercy. And the one here hasn't yet reached that future.
Why would I ever think I'd find comfort there! [ Optimus seems to slowly be spiralinging. Over explaining now, his voice wobbles like it could crack. ]
[ratchet winces and makes sure to do the wounds so thoroughly not even a trace of the injuries will remain. he was going to, anyway, but that's... whew.]
I can't say I'm surprised that Megatron stooped to that kind of level, but you know him better than I ever could. I won't say you were wrong for what you tried to do.
[when he cries out, ratchet quickly grabs one of his hands to stop him moving too much.]
Hey, hey. It's okay. Bein' here and seeing people you think you know or bein' without the ones that supported you... it sucks. It's lonely. I'm not gonna lie and say it's not.
No-one is untouchable by this sort of thing. [he squeezes the hand back, expression sympathetic.] You know your Autobots would be there for you the way you are for them, right?
[he figures it might be grief and pain talking more than anything. ratchet knows better than most how strong optimus is capable of being, what he can bounce back from physically and emotionally.]
Look, there's no war here. If Megatron gives you trouble - any of them - then you'll have people willing to protect you. Physically and emotionally. I know we ain't the ones you're used to, but we gotta make do with what we have.
[ratchet takes something out of his kit, an injectable.]
I'm going to give you this-- it's a painkiller. Then you can get up and lay on your slab, alright?
I think you are. That's okay. No-one's gonna think less of you for it. [he wants to know so badly the sort of things this optimus has been through in his war, but it's not a good idea to ask, not right now. he hesitates for a moment, then sticks the painkiller in the appropriate place.] It'll kick in in a couple seconds. Let me know if you feel a negative reaction to it.
[he tilts his head.]
I can... put you under if you want to properly sleep while I do this. I think you need it, Prime.
[ Optimus waits and curls his arms and fists testing the numbing. Then stands slowly. ]
The slab, yes? That would be best for both of us, like you said...
And if you think that is best, I trust you. You may put me under. [ Optimus moves to his slab. Ratchet will have an easier time working, and Optimus will already be at his berth to rest. ]
[ratchet helps him up, just in case his legs are a little too numb and he stumbles. once he's up, it's easy enough to get him to the berth and get him temporarily unconscious so he can do the work.
he finishes in about forty five minutes, but ratchet just sits by the slab to wait for optimus to wake up himself, tapping away and updating the medical file.]
[ Optimus will wake in due time, reaching his hand out first for Ratchet. Touching his shoulder as his optics slowly glow into life. He stays laying, removing his hand after assuring he's not alone. Which in truth, he thought he would be when he were to wake. He smiles softly under his mask. ]
You stayed. [ Optimus says it like it's familiar. He's not Red Alert, but its nice to know that there's enough there to be similar enough. Not the same, but enough that Optimus can trust this medic. Perhaps the entire staff here. ]
Better. I don't feel like I need the floor anymore. Thank you, Ratchet. [ Optimus sits up slowly then reaches his hand over to him and places it on his shoulder, loose in case Ratchet wished to back out of the friendly touch. ]
I hope in time you'll come to realise the slab would'a been just as cool, [he comments, dryly. he lets him put the hand on his shoulder, smiling a little.] You'll be okay, Prime. But I need you to get more rest that isn't clinically forced on you, going without will only make you feel worse.
I best heed the doctor's orders. [ He lets a small nervous laugh out. ] I've worried you enough as is. I promise I'll rest more henceforth.
I feel if I give another sorry, you'll simply tell me it's part of the job. So instead. I'll thank you. You've been a fine friend to me. If you'll allow me to call you that.
There's an earth custom I'm rather fond of, the human children taught me. [ Optimus offers his fist out, raised up. ] You knock your fist to mine, like one might knock helmets together.
I... know this sounds sudden and strange. But it is my way of saying, we're comrades and I will protect you in return.
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[sighing, he starts packing up his tools. seems like optimus will want a room visit.]
Better to take a mild beating than start an all out war on board, right?
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He was lucky I could hold back as much as I did, Ratchet.
[ There's a deep shame in his voice. ]
I had an encounter with my Megatron as well. But we did not fight. I only have a carved into arm from the incident.
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I have nearly killed innocents before. I only stopped because I was talked into morality.
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[he falls silent as he walks along the hallway, looking for the right room, thinking over how to approach this with an optimus he doesn't know at all.]
I think we all start to have questions like that when we've been fighting long enough. The fact you're worried about it at all is a better sign than just ignoring it.
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I'm usually the one others have to rely on. [ Optimus goes to lay on the floor of his room. It's cool down there, good for the burns. ]
Not that no one ever tries, I think we had all Forgotten I'm fallible. [ There's a pause and then Optimus adds. ] When you enter, don't be alarmed I'm on the floor, I'm simply tired...
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[he starts running all his own internal scans before he gets the tools out.]
None of this is too bad. I'll have you back to normal in half a cycle or so. Physically. I think we need to have a serious chat about how you're doin' mentally.
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[ He gives a half-hearted laugh. ] In the end, I guess I'm not escaping a chat.
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[he can't help resting a hand on optimus's helm for a moment.]
I'm not gonna yell at you. I'm just worried.
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Instead, I found myself cornered and my arm ripped into. He wanted me to talk to him. He tried to touch my face.
I was stupid, I came into this dimension after he killed me with that cannon. I don't know if what I left behind is safe. It was meant for Earth and I dived for it.
I left everyone at his mercy. And the one here hasn't yet reached that future.
Why would I ever think I'd find comfort there! [ Optimus seems to slowly be spiralinging. Over explaining now, his voice wobbles like it could crack. ]
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I can't say I'm surprised that Megatron stooped to that kind of level, but you know him better than I ever could. I won't say you were wrong for what you tried to do.
[when he cries out, ratchet quickly grabs one of his hands to stop him moving too much.]
Hey, hey. It's okay. Bein' here and seeing people you think you know or bein' without the ones that supported you... it sucks. It's lonely. I'm not gonna lie and say it's not.
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[ Optimus keeps his body still, the struggle to turn away is strong and all the poor mech does is stare up at Ratchet. ]
But who ... who would be there for me? In my darkest weakest hours...
[ It's not fully true, Optimus knows in his spark. But it's hard to think of anything properly when the world has turned on its head.
All Optimus can do is squeeze Ratchet's hand for comfort.]
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[he figures it might be grief and pain talking more than anything. ratchet knows better than most how strong optimus is capable of being, what he can bounce back from physically and emotionally.]
Look, there's no war here. If Megatron gives you trouble - any of them - then you'll have people willing to protect you. Physically and emotionally. I know we ain't the ones you're used to, but we gotta make do with what we have.
[ratchet takes something out of his kit, an injectable.]
I'm going to give you this-- it's a painkiller. Then you can get up and lay on your slab, alright?
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Logically, logically I know what you say is true. Perhaps I'm just overwhelmed and worried for them all.
Please. Proceed. I wish to be numb and collect my thoughts.
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[he tilts his head.]
I can... put you under if you want to properly sleep while I do this. I think you need it, Prime.
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The slab, yes? That would be best for both of us, like you said...
And if you think that is best, I trust you. You may put me under. [ Optimus moves to his slab. Ratchet will have an easier time working, and Optimus will already be at his berth to rest. ]
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he finishes in about forty five minutes, but ratchet just sits by the slab to wait for optimus to wake up himself, tapping away and updating the medical file.]
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You stayed. [ Optimus says it like it's familiar. He's not Red Alert, but its nice to know that there's enough there to be similar enough. Not the same, but enough that Optimus can trust this medic. Perhaps the entire staff here. ]
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I feel if I give another sorry, you'll simply tell me it's part of the job. So instead. I'll thank you. You've been a fine friend to me. If you'll allow me to call you that.
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[he kind of wishes his own optimus was here. he would be able to give way better leadership advice to this poor kid.]
And... come tell me if things are starting to overwhelm you again, alright? It's not a problem; I'm a medic. I'm supposed to look after my patients.
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I... know this sounds sudden and strange. But it is my way of saying, we're comrades and I will protect you in return.
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Sure. [bomp.]