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When Ratchet came back to earth he didn't expect much, so imagine his suprise when he saw Optimus. Not his Optimus, of course not, his Optimus was dead but this.. creature, he wasn't sure if he could even call them cybertronian, they were.. strange looking, more metal, more deadly clearly but..
Optimus.
Unfortunately they didn't seem to recognize him as a fellow cybertronian or- whatever they were.
Ratchet was forced to take a step back as they took a offensive stance, his grip on his wrench tight, he could throw it and run if things went south, he didn't really have the energon to spare for shooting at the moment.
"Who are you?" They asked, voice gruff, a bit deep? "I hold no malicious intentions but-"
"Then stop with the pose or I'll throw that wrench at you!" Ratchet threatened just in case.
The- Optimus, Optimus stopped, optics going a bit wider with clear recognition. "Ratchet..?"
Ratchet paused, grip on the wrench faltering a little with surprise. "How... how do you know my name." He questioned, optics narrowing slightly.
"I..." They took a step forward, slowly, almost as if trying to be as non threatening as possible despite that big fuck ass sword that they wielded.
Ratchet took a quick, cautious step backwards in return. "Stay back." He warned, lifting the wrench. "I'm not going to say it again." He threatened, grip tightening on it.
"I'm not going to hurt you." They said, putting the sword on their back. "Please.."
Ratchet hesitated, lowering the wrench ever so slightly. "Who are you...?" He inquired. "And how do you know me." It was more of a demand than a question.
The Optimus lookalike didn't respond at first, and Ratchet tensed up for a moment, tightening his grip on the wrench just incase as he watched them, waiting.
Finally, they answered, voice softer, almost familiar. "I'm.. Optimus Prime from another universe."
Ratchet stared, stunned, taking a moment to process this before he shook his head and scoffed. "...Another universe?" He echoed. "That's impossi-.." he paused, as if remembering about something. "Oh."
Optimus tilted his head, raising an optic ridge in confusion and maybe a bit of concern. "Oh?" He repeated. "You seem to be taking this well..."
Ratchet rolled his optics, his grip on the wrench loosening a bit again. "With the kind of bullslag my friends and I have been through, this isn't all that strange."
The medic suddenly froze.
"...Wait." He said. "If you're an alternative version of Optimus... that means you have your own universe's version of me out there somewhere."
Optimuses optics softened almost sadly as he hesitated before answering.
"Yes." he said carefully. "Though my Ratchet was..."
A sight followed, meant to help control old barely contained anger.
"He was killed by humans. Melted for parts."
Ratchet fell silent, his expression slowly falling. He would rather not think about that, some part of him wanted to protest that humans would never but- he knew they would, Cylas would.
"...Oh." he replied numbly, finally lowering the wrench.
Optimus hesitated, taking a small, careful step forward, as if concerned that Ratchet would suddenly lash out or collapse. "I'm sorry..." He said softly. "I didn't mean to-"
Ratchet cut him off, clearing his throat and forcing down a frown. "No, you have no reason to apologize."
The concern in Optimuses optics only deepened as he took in the sight of Ratchet. The medic looked tired, older even than his own, and the grief in his optics was clear.
Carefully, Optimus took another step forward, closing the distance between them so he was standing directly in front of the medic. "Ratchet...." He began, a hint of guilt in his voice as he reached out, gently grasping the medic's shoulder.
Ratchet stiffened, tensing up as Optimus pulled him into a hug- and he nearly pulled away, nearly.
But at the last moment, before he could force himself to move away, Optimuses arms wrapped around him just a bit tighter and something in Ratchet just... snapped.
He didn't know why- maybe because Optimus was so much like his Prime or maybe just because deep down Ratchet was a big softie- but coolant pricked at his optics as he buried his face into Optimuses chest and gripped at the plating.
Optimus held back a sigh of relief as Ratchet melted into the hug, instead of bolting away. His spark ached every time he heard a quiet, choked off sound escape from the medic, his own optics dimmed.
"It's okay..." He murmured, gently resting his head on top of Ratchet's. "I'm here."