[It's all he can manage to say, once he finally finds his voice. He hates how weak and small it sounds. How rough and cracked around the edges the words come out. Air cycles through his vents -- a "deep breath", in his terms.]
[Finally, he takes a few steps forward. He's always had that limp, but the weight of his thoughts right now make it all the more pronounced, all the more difficult to hide.]
... How long have you been here...?
[It's not how he would normally act. He knows that. And he knows, out of all the Autobots to arrive, Ratchet would know it instantly. Even so... he can't keep himself from reaching out. From clasping a hand heavily down on his old friend's shoulder.]
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[It's all he can manage to say, once he finally finds his voice. He hates how weak and small it sounds. How rough and cracked around the edges the words come out. Air cycles through his vents -- a "deep breath", in his terms.]
[Finally, he takes a few steps forward. He's always had that limp, but the weight of his thoughts right now make it all the more pronounced, all the more difficult to hide.]
... How long have you been here...?
[It's not how he would normally act. He knows that. And he knows, out of all the Autobots to arrive, Ratchet would know it instantly. Even so... he can't keep himself from reaching out. From clasping a hand heavily down on his old friend's shoulder.]
[And gripping it.]
[Tightly.]