#skyboundprime

If abject surrender could be displayed in its truest definition, it would be in the form of Starscream glowering at the doorstep of the Prime. Never mind that he was the one to approach first, his pride clung tightly like wires choking a fist within his complex, showcased in a proud lift of his wings as he walked himself inside.

" Don't get any funny ideas about this, " he warned him with one energon-painted digit pointed directly at his helm as if he could blast through it with the gesture alone. " I— " had nowhere else to go, " found this place most convenient. "

Nursing the wound wedged into his side, he applied pressure with an onyx palm, damming most of the bleed. It was an angry one that coughed thick rivets of fuchsia over the pearlescent white of his middle and the danger-flagging crimson of his pelvic armor, dotting a trail where he stepped.

He didn't care how he looked, having been this way one too many times before and observed by all ranks of soldiers and civilians. If the Prime was so willing, then Starscream was more willing to take with all 10 claws and every inch of greed that his debased morality allowed.

With a heavy drop, he collapsed into the nearest surface he presumed could sustain his weight and size. He didn't look too closely before his nasty fall— if it was something important, Optimus better pray he can replace it.

Things were quiet this time around. The alternate Optimus that had oh-so-often attempted to spend time with Ratchet hadn't been seen for most of the day-- he'd completely and utterly disappeared! At least... it seemed that way... until there was the familiar sound of a truck's engines somewhere revving outside before the familiar transformation occurred. KHEE KHEE kho KHEE. Optimus made his way in, smoky hand gently pressing against the wall with... something behind his back. " Ratchet? Are you busy at all? "

The scientist had moved one of his screens nearer to a single console, making it much easier for him to have references, coding, and the results of his modifications visible and accessible at once. At the moment, he was specifically analyzing various human clothing. The complexity of textures, light reflection, stretchiness or stiffness, even wrinkles of how different forms of cloth behaved... had all proved to be exceptionally technical to apply to a projected model for his ever updating holomatter project. He wanted the final application to have plenty of customization for others to use, but good grief...

Ratchet's audials angled, partially one sided, as he detected the sound of an engine and the following transformation. Both noises were familiar, so he did not look away from studying 'satin.'

"Not with anything that I cannot pause from working on," Ratchet answered, then saved his progress, and actually turned around to greet him.

He was……TALL. And here Roz had gotten used to being the tallest being in the woods, save for when Thorn the bear and Broadfoot the moose were around… But she tried to avoid them when she could. They had not taken kindly to her presence thus far. But this creature already approached her differently, despite towering over them all. The way his metal gleamed in the sun immediately drew Roz’s attention. Not since she had awoken on the beach had she seen another even remotely quite like herself.

"Optimus Prime..." she repeated, and blinked at his question. "...I...do not know my origin point," she admitted. "I awoke on the northern beach... I am not sure if I was ever meant to be here."

"But I do know that I am meant to seek out and complete tasks wherever I am needed." She brought a hand to her chest, feeling(?) something like delight, a mutual expression greeting the larger automaton. "I am Rozzum 7134 - but everyone here has called me Roz." As well as...other things. But no matter.

He'd nearly stumbled his damn way through the practically-empty Autobot HQ-- with everyone else busy, it gave Optimus some time to usually just try to collect his thoughts in this new world he was in... but, well, things were going to be very different today. It all started with a memory-- just looking at something that made him think back on things, a simple hole in a wall-- and then everything else hit. The thumps of his footsteps were loud, fast. " Ratchet-- Ratchet? " He called out his name repeatedly, like a lost dog, sprinting through the outpost in some desperate search for the fellow Autobot. The moment he caught a glimpse of Ratchet, his purple optics just stared at the medic in realization that he was indeed there-- though, the build was different. More boxy. More greys to the paintjob. He ran like his life depended on it. And, in moments, he grabbed the taller bot by the shoulders and squeezed, suddenly pulling him to a different part of the room like he was trying to get him behind cover. " Are-- are you alright?! Are you hurt? Did Shockwave and Soundwave-- did they manage to-- l-let me check you for injuries. Cliffjumper was nearly--... " His purple optics just seemed to stare into his damn soul. Like the Prime wasn't truly there.

Although, rationally, he knew there should not have been a reason for alarm, Ratchet's audials perked immediately upon hearing running. He turned and focused on the direction of the source, even before Optimus actually appeared.

"Yes? I am here," he answered, loud and clear. When he did see him, however, Ratchet's plating raised. Why are his optics purple? Surely he did not try to eat dark energon?!? Ratchet did have a sample, but it was securely locked away when it was not being studied-- No, no, this must have been something else.

Ratchet did not retreat as the other rushed toward him, and complied as he tugged on him, because the medic had recognized symptoms of experiencing a flashback. That may not have been entirely accurate, but it was his best guess, and provided a basis for him to work with.

@skyboundprime

❛  there's no length i wouldn't go if it was you i had to save.  ❜

"..." The old medic could not help how his plating lowered and, after a few moments of staring, his gaze shifted elsewhere.

He is not the same. Neither of them are. His Optimus is gone. Ratchet could not allow his own grief to influence him over logic and reasoning. That would not be fair to either of their emotions. It would not be rational to instantly hold someone he did not truly know, despite the powerful urge.

The doctor kept his voice calm, quiet even, as he answered, "While I appreciate the sentiment, perhaps we should work on getting to know one another, before you say too many things like that." He had no doubt there were differences. There always were, when the multiverse was involved.

Ratchet's electromagnetic field extended, searching to see if this Optimus' spark produced one as well (most universes' did, but he would try not to make assumptions; that would be foolish of a medic). It would not be the same as a hug, but he could still express compassion and care, a deeper form of unspoken introduction.

// @skyboundprime to skybound megatron :)c

A chuckle, of course they would be surprised that he was alive.