How Can I Cope Without You Here?

Part One - The Ripple

Ratchet felt as if his entire world was crumbling. In a way, it was. Optimus Prime was Ratchet's world. And now it was being taken away from him in front of his very optics.

Optimus stood at the edge of the well, his face calm as he gave a speech Ratchet couldn't bare to hear. He just studied the Prime's beautiful optics, the ones he had stared into vorns ago the first time he met Orion Pax. Stared into before and after his first kiss with the archivist. Stared into in relaxing nights in berth, wrapped in Optimus's huge arms, hearing the steady beat of his spark.

Ratchet could barely contain the amount of pain and overwhelming despair he was sending through his sparkbond with Optimus. His conjunx sent calm in response, but the act was fruitless. Ratchet tried and failed to calm his erratic breathing and sparkbeat, but to no avail.

Then the Prime turned, giving Ratchet a small smile.

" No ." Ratchet said, quietly. His voice was shaky. Optimus flew up into the air and swiftly pointed his trajectory straight into the well.

Optimus! He sent frantically through the bond. Optimus, please !

My beloved, Optimus said simply. Goodbye, Ratchet...

Ratchet felt the bond slipping. He felt Optimus drifting ever closer to the end of his life. He felt like he was down there, dying right alongside the Prime.

Optimus ! He yelled again for his conjunx, both in the bond and aloud. He ran towards the edge of the well, though he doesn't see anything. Please - I love you !

I love you, dearest~ Optimus Prime said at last, before his side of the bond went completely dark.

It was a terrible feeling. Having Ratchet's spark ripped from its chamber in the most violent of ways would've hurt less than this. A sharp, widespread ache spread through his body. Ratchet sobbed, his entire frame shaking until he thought it might explode. Lubricant fell shamelessly onto the smooth rim of the Well, and he was so close that some fell inside the Well itself.

Wheeljack had run over and pulled him away from the edge as it began to...explode? Ratchet couldn't tell through his bleary optics, and he didn't even have the energy to reboot them.

A huge, bright, red spark that Ratchet knew all too well emerged from the Well, along with what Ratchet realized were millions of others. It spiraled towards the rest of the Autobots, then-

- it nudged Ratchet's spark from over his armour. His own spark clung to the walls of his chassis, trying desperately to get closer to it. He cradled it in his shaking servos, sobbing harder.

You forever have my spark , it said, I will love you always, my angel .

Ratchet found himself smiling, but it's weak and sad. He whispers: "I will love you always, Orion."

Then the spark drifted away. But it - Optimus - was right. Ratchet did carry tiny pieces of Optimus's spark within him, because of the many times they've bonded.

But that never could lessen the pain. It wasn't the same as having Optimus here, by his side.