Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

War could affect anyone, even the strongest mechs, physically and mentally. It could make them break down, make them act completely weak in strong situations or it could somehow affect them directly. It was all complete shit, how can screwed them over day after day, how especially some Decepticons seemed to specialize in making life miserable for any of the Autobots, and if one already had a specific one as an enemy, he would definitely go against that one. in every battle.

So, a battle had occurred, one like many that occurred between both sides, one won and the other retreated or they were simply interrupted by external events that caused both to have to end the fight. But there were cases in which battles ended very badly.

And unfortunately this had been the occasion.

This fight was stronger than the others for some reason. Gunshots, explosions all around, the entire ground was covered in the dust they raised or in the worst cases, some stains of energon. They were lucky that none of their human allies were there, but even so, many Autobots were being wounded and they had to retreat quickly so as not to be fatally wounded. But for a certain red mech, Cliffjumper, this wasn't going to stop him. He was always willing to face them in the front row, to attack as many Decepticons as he could because of his great hatred for them, and more especially, for that Seeker, Starscream. He always hoped for the opportunity to be able to exterminate him and at least have one less threat.

Of course this wasn't the best for him either, every time he went to the front he ended up with serious injuries for which he had to go to the medical bay and get called out for putting himself in danger again. Not to mention the concern of a certain noblemech who was his partner, who told him that it was not necessary for him to always take such a risk, that he did not want to lose him. Yes he listened to him and sometimes he did pay attention to him, but he always gained his momentum and went to face his enemies head on.

The battle continued and he continued to advance further and further towards the Decepticons, ready to fight them face to face. He was pulling out his blaster right with Starscream in his sights, ready to fire and make him fall. However, he did not take into account when he heard a warning scream from one of his companions and when he turned again to see Starscream was now the one who was about to shoot him. And he did it, but he did not receive it. It fell to his partner who had warned him about the shot, Bumblebee. He had to see how he stood in front of him and received the impact; falling exhausted and unconscious. He quickly dropped his weapon without caring that the Seeker was still in front of him, while he quickly checked on his friend.

"Bee!"

"Mmh, I may not have been able to shoot one of the most annoying ones, but at least I managed to finish off the one who was most beloved among the Autobots, Ha!" Starscream said as he prepared for another shot, only to be interrupted when an order to the Decepticons to retreat sounded. "It will have to be next time..." He finally said, transforming into his Jet mode and leaving with the others.

The Autobots began to gather to see how each one was doing, when one of them noticed, terrified, how Cliffjumper returned with an unconscious Bumblebee in his arms, clearly injured. They quickly took it off seeing that his servos had some energon stains on them, implying that he had probably been there and knew what had happened. They headed back to the Ark so Ratchet could tend to him. Some glared at the red minibot as they sped away. He didn't know how to react or what to say at the moment, so he just followed them in silence.

When they finally arrived at the Ark, everyone who had been in the battle quickly made their way to the medical bay, more for Bumblebee's condition than for themselves. When Cliffjumper arrived after them, Mirage, who had not attended that battle, quickly approached to see his condition.

"Cliff, are you okay? I just saw what happened to Bumblebee, are you-"

"I'm fine, I'm fine" he quickly calmed his partner. He didn't want to comment that he had seen exactly what had happened to Bumblebee, and that he was partly to blame for him being injured now. "Just wait.. "

He quickly moved away from the blue mech, who didn't know what to say, to follow the route with the other bots towards the medical bay. They were already trying to repair Bumblebee, but it was obvious that he was serious. Constant screaming, going from here to there, bringing medical supplies, and the desperate attempt not to lose his Spark. Complete chaos. Several of his companions were at the door watching, some hoping that it wouldn't get worse, while Ratchet did everything possible, everything to not lose Bumblebee.

In the end you could say that it didn't turn out so well.

He didn't die, his spark didn't go out, but the shot had hit a set of cables that distribute energy to his entire body and energy in general to his spark. In addition, Starscream's missiles were considered among the most dangerous, since they managed to affect a larger area than the original wound had been.

So now the yellow mech was in ICU, alive but not completely stable. So that it could be continually reviewed and not lost permanently.

All of this was now in Cliffjumper's fault. How could he have avoided this if he had not acted as usual, guided by his impulses, if he had thought better. Not to mention that most Autobots believed he had directly involved with what happened. It was not strange that they knew that he paid more attention to himself than to others, but when he hurt others because of his actions (not because he wanted to), they came to regard him as annoying and that he should be removed.

Through all this, Mirage was still quite worried about him. He saw how that mission had affected him on a big level, and he had his own concern that they might have hurt the minibot or that he might have had a fate similar to that of the yellow explorer. He wanted to protect him, he wanted to be there for him. But Mirage couldn't find the right moment to be able to talk to him, to be able to give him some support. They only had small moments that they could share as a couple, or in general without doing missions, and he was going to take advantage of everything to be able to reach him.

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The red bot was in an area of the recreation room, taking some energon without worrying about the others. Just because of the problems he now faced with himself. He was interrupted when the presence of the blue and white mech was present in front of him. Charming and could definitely lift his spirits even in difficult times like these.

"Cliff" Mirage said in a rather sweet tone sitting next to the minibot. "Can we talk? I've seen you too excluded from the rest"

"Hey 'Raj" he replied giving her a small smile, only for it to quickly disappear when he asked him that question. Sighing tired. "Yes, what's wrong?"

"You've been kind of strange since what happened with Bumblebee, and you haven't even said what happened. I wanted to know-"

"If I had anything to do with that? Well, if you want to believe that and what others say, yes. That was all?" He interrupted him, stopping looking at him to focus his optics on the energon again.

Mirage grabbed his servo drawing Cliffjumper's attention again. "I would never doubt you, you know that. I know how you can act sometimes towards the Decepticons. So if I'm not mistaken, you had no fault in this. He protected you, right?"

"How you kno-?"

"Like you, I know Bee. Always putting herself out there to protect others, I'm sure she did it at will" He gently stroked his servo as he looked at it again.

"But what did he gain from that? He's hurt, he almost died and it was my fault for putting myself back in front..." He responded, moving away and resting his helm on one arm. "I just hate Starscream so much, I thought this time, I might"

"You're going to make it, someday you're going to have the chance, I'm sure of that... Regarding taking risks, I know I've already asked you several times, but can you not try not to always go ahead?" He stood up from his seat and approached to hug him from behind, standing taller than him and making it look like a sign of protecting him.

"I don't want to lose you, I don't want you to end up in a state similar to Bumblebee, just. Please Cliff"

Cliffjumper thought for several clicks, before sighing and nodding slightly, giving a small attempt at a smile. "Okay, I, I won't always try to go to the front, just because you ask me to."

The blue mech responded with a relieved expression, approaching again to plant a small kiss on his faceplate. To which the red mech responded with a light laugh.

It seemed that from there everything could have turned out better, of course Cliffjumper still sometimes took a bit of risk, but at least he tried not to make Mirage worry about his well-being.

The only thing that remained was that feeling , of anger, of wanting to do justice for his companion in similar armor, who was still in ICU. He was stabilizing, and it looked like he was going to make it. But he still needed to make Starscream pay for what happened, not only for that, but in general for everything he had done to him, all the discomfort and frustration he caused him, for being a Decepticon, and for seeming to have chosen him to be the center of all his entertainment, with the hits, fights, and all.

The straw that broke the camel's back came, what made all his anger explode, his desire for revenge against the Seeker.

Again, another mission, another battle against the Decepticons. It was supposed to be an undercover mission, (which is why he wasn't assigned on that mission) some investigating and getting out. Not many complications. However, there he was, to frag as always even if he wasn't there.

He hit him, shot him, and wounded him, and they had to leave immediately to go check him out in the medical bay.

They crawled to the Ark with an injured (but luckily still conscious) Mirage leaning on 2 of his companions. He was directly directed to have Ratchet repair him. His situation was not life or death but it was still serious, and it was better to cure it before anything else. When this information reached the red bot, his reaction was nothing more than fear, anguish and anger. He wanted to see him, he needed to see him, to see that now he was okay, that he wasn't going to lose him. Through the crowd that was in the medical bay, he managed to make his way to quickly approach where Mirage was. Lying already resting after his armor was repaired and he regained his normal Energon state. There he was able to find out more what had happened. He had to fight with Starscream so that his companions could escape with some information, and in a bad blow, the Decepticon once again had the advantage that together with his companions they were in charge of hitting him and leaving dents, in addition to a shot in the abdomen to to make sure it didn't come out of those. He was lucky that one of his companions, Hound, returned to check on his friend's condition and together with a few others they managed to take him back.

"Mirage!" Cliffjumper exclaimed worriedly, standing next to the noble as he grabbed his servo with both of his own.

"Cliff... Don't worry my dear, I'm fine..." Mirage responded with a somewhat tired voice. Even though he said he was fine, the beating and the shooting had exhausted him. He gave him a small attempt at a smile, more to try and calm him down. He knew that there were situations like this that could cause him to act again because of how he felt at that moment, without thinking, ending up hurting himself. And knowing his beloved minibot, he would seek revenge for what had just happened to him.

Unfortunately, he was not wrong.

Chapter Text

He wasn't taking those losses anymore, he had tried to stay out of it when Starscream hurt Bumblebee, despite being a close friend. But when he realized that Mirage, the most important mech in his spark, was injured, his temper simply exploded. He wanted revenge. He had to have that revenge, that justice not only for what had recently happened, but for everything he generally felt every time the Seeker attacked them and dealt with him personally. He needed all those things to end now. So that's how he planned it, not caring what the other Autobots said or if they cared; Cliffjumper would personally go to the Decepticon base, to face Starscream face to face, and he was determined to finish him off there, whatever the cost.

He prepared his blaster as always and some other hand weapons with which he could attack. He planned to go out when the other bots were recharging or so that those who were on surveillance could let him go without many questions. Unfortunately, one of his friends did find him, and he didn't plan to let that go unnoticed.

"Cliffjumper?" The black and white mech with the characteristic visor asked somewhat doubtfully, when he saw his red companion leaving the Ark.

"Oh, Jazz. Hey..." He responded somewhat surprised but at the same time tired, he didn't expect his friend to intercept him, and he wasn't in the mood to explain why he was leaving.

"Where are you going?"

"Something, please let me out."

The red mech's response in that tone puzzled Jazz, he knew that he could behave like that sometimes, but considering what had happened recently, he believed that what he was going to do could end somewhat badly.

"I thought you'd stay and accompany Mirage, you know, while he recovers."

"Yes, I was accompanying him; now he is recharging and I need to do something." He lied a little about that, Mirage was resting, but he didn't know that Cliffjumper was going to do something.

"Oh... And where are you going?" He repeated his question again.

He had to sigh to stay calm, his silence was total; He didn't know what to explain to make his friend let him go, as soon as he said what he was going to do he would stop him and probably take him to Prowl or even Prime. For wanting to do a risky action. As he lowered his gaze trying to come up with a response, it was what was necessary for the other to know what he was going to do.

"Hmm, okay. Go, I'll cover you." I give him a somewhat forced smile, but give him the pass.

"Thanks, Jazz... I'll see you later" he finally said as he left. The bot watched him walk away, already thinking what he was going to do. He didn't like the idea at all, so when he saw that the red one didn't return in the morning, he would immediately go and mention to Prime that they needed a rescue mission.

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The path to the area where the Decepticons' base was located was very different from the one under the Autobots' control. It was darker, barely any lights illuminated the place around it, and the same leafy nature accompanied the journey; to make a drastic change when arriving at the base and it was surrounded by dust; making only the base of them stand out. As if he had to be careful when approaching, Seekers were flying over the area to keep the Autobots away, or to locate a human to use against them. This whole combination of things that surrounded them, that was part of the Decepticons; their way of acting or the terrifying and violent way they fought against them was what gave Cliffjumper reasons to want to infiltrate, to want to end them, to want to end everything. He believed that at last it would give them peace, it would give him peace.

Constantly avoiding being seen or activating an alarm, he reached the entrance of the base; looked to see if there was a grate or a door he could get into, but he couldn't find anything. Cliffjumper began to think that he had not fully evaluated any solution for how to enter; However, when he saw a group of bots coming out of a door, he took the opportunity to get in, hoping he had not been seen.
I was already in, that was good. Now there was what he really wanted to do, seek his revenge/justice, kill the Seeker, kill Starscream.

It was as if the opposing mech already knew his intentions, in some way.

Cliffjumper arrived at one of the other rooms in the base, where he saw the red Seeker with his back turned, and checking what looked like a control panel. He entered without thinking, watching his steps and with his gun raised aimed at the Decepticon. He was about to shoot, any moment he would do it, he would finally fall... Why couldn't he?
He was still aiming, but for some reason he couldn't pull the trigger, it got worse when he felt his arms start to shake, as if he had started to be afraid. This didn't make sense.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Starscream spoke.

"Hm, I actually thought you would."

He turned to look at him, with that characteristic smile of superiority and sarcasm, things that Cliffjumper hated about the Jet's personality. He took the red mech off guard, the opponent seemed to know when he arrived or even before what he wanted to do. It was a trap? Had he fallen into a trap?

"I'm going to kill you... Consider this justice in the name of the Autobots! The wounded and the fallen"

"And why haven't you done it? I just gave you a chance that you completely wasted, ha, I assumed you were weak"

Those comments were starting to make his systems heat up with anger, he wasn't going to allow the Seeker to talk to him like that; his grip on his gun tightened, aiming it directly as if he were cornered and that he had to control what he said or he would shoot, but even then, he couldn't.

"I'm going to shoot, don't think I won't"

"I repeat, do you do it? You arrive at our base, you infiltrate and threaten to assassinate the future leader of the Decepticons. Being so, so noble in your group that you arrive alone, wanting to play the hero and wanting to end the war. But, at the end At the same time, you are a liar, because you can't do it. Why?" He began to approach the minibot, without fear or doubt in his voice, not caring that it was pointing a gun at him. Finally to be just a few centimeters away from him, with his gun almost pressing against his chassis, against his spark. "It leaves you speechless, doesn't it? If you're so brave, shoot."

It seemed like a form of manipulation, that's how he felt, there was something that prevented him from shooting him. He just couldn't, he trembled, doubted. He had to lower both his weapon and his gaze, looking at the floor completely confused, strange with himself. The Seeker realized this immediately and to start making him feel worse, he started laughing at him. Every time before he had humiliated him, and this was being the worst. He felt weak.

Unfortunately, he couldn't stay in his own thoughts for that long, when the Decepticon threw him against the wall and he fell to the ground, initiating a much stronger, and probably "fairer" fight.

"Get up Autobot scum, you didn't come here for nothing. Face the consequences of your actions."

At least he was going to take care of himself to defend himself.

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The noblemech had woken up after being repaired, he was still in the medical bay, but no longer damaged. His energy was recovered, nothing more than a few scratches on his paint, but overall fine. Only somewhat disappointed, he had entered recharge with his red partner sitting next to him, and now there was no one next to him. He wanted to think that they sent him on some mission quite early, and that's why he wasn't there.
He finally got up and when he was discharged, he went out waiting for some mission and hanging out in the common room. Still haven't seen Cliffjumper. Part of him wondered where he could have been, but another part of him told him something bad was happening. He wanted to distract himself a little by taking some Energon, and staying in the temporary company of his nature-loving friend who was just arriving.

"Hey Mirage, I see you're better. How are you feeling?" Hound asked in his natural happy tone sitting next to the blue one.

"Good, thank you for asking" He responded politely, although still somewhat distracted by thinking about his lover. The other noticed this and wanted to encourage him a little, in addition to asking him what exactly the problem was.

"Mmh, well well I don't see you. Did something happen? Was it because of how you looked after the fight?"

"No, it's Cliffjumper. It's just, I feel something wrong. I was hoping to see him this morning."

"Well, you know he always goes to the front row. Prime probably went out with some this morning."

"It's not just that, it's because of how I've seen it. I feel like something is making him feel bad, like everything started to go downhill since what happened with Bumblebee."

"Are you talking about between each other?"

"I'm talking about him, something in him started to go down."

It was a slightly awkward silence, but the green mech gave him a couple of pats on the back to comfort him. Smiling at him again so he knows he shouldn't worry. At least not that much.

"Mirage, if Cliff has anything to tell you. I'm sure he will, you have to understand that he's been through some tough things, seeing Bee hurt, seeing you the same. Like a lot of us. He just needs a little push to get him back to be the same. Right now he must have gone to some fight, don't worry."

He was going to nod in response, thinking that what his friend was saying was true. However, when he saw Jazz pass by, and saw that he looked at them out of the corner of his eye and then left worried, he couldn't help but get upset and intrigued a little, he didn't know what was happening exactly, but that feeling of something bad came back to him, as if I knew something bad had happened to Cliffjumper. He called out loudly to the black and white mech, who as soon as he heard his name approached them again, with an expression that definitely showed concern.

"Is Cliffjumper back?" Jazz asked with a serious tone combined with anguish.

"We haven't seen him all morning," Hound replied. As soon as he heard this, Jazz's expression became more worried, and in reaction to this, Mirage's looked more intrigued and serious.

"Is there something we should know?" His tone was the same with which he spoke with most people or when he was involved in a topic that would harm him, although in this situation it was more about a situation that would harm a loved one.
The opponent had no choice but to tell it, especially to him first considering the couple status he maintained with red.

"Cliffjumper came out late at night, he was carrying weapons and I saw a tired and angry expression... I think he's gone to fight, on his own."

His friend's expression was one of complete concern, as he began to ask the visor mech more questions; what had happened, how he knew it, where exactly it went. But Mirage was in a state of total shock, he didn't even listen to what the others were saying, he just felt an immense desire to go protect him, and continue making sure that his beloved minibot was safe. He headed with his blaster and with his missile on his shoulder in the direction of the door. The other two bots noticing this, and considering the state of the situation; They asked what he was doing or where he was going. Which his response was so cold and short, but behind it was a total feeling.

"I'm going to go look for him, I'm going to go save him"

The two looked at each other, but immediately grabbed their weapons and decided to go follow him and help him as well.

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Hit, after hit, after hit. It could be said that both were tied, although Starscream was excelling in hitting him, denting him and making him lose Energon; Cliffjumper was not far behind either and put effort into defending himself and hitting him when he could. Still, it could be clearly seen who had the advantage.
Cliffjumper could have had it, if he could have grabbed his blaster again, if he had had the chance to shoot straight at him; but of all the times, of all the times, this was the only one where he was afraid, he couldn't shoot, it was horrible for him, but wonderful for the Seeker.

It won't have been long before the reddish one could no longer get up; His arms and chassis were full of dents and scratches, energon dripped from the corner of his lips and part of his yelm. He still tried to maintain that determined and angry look towards the opponent; However, it was beginning to fall apart. The Seeker realized this, and decided to deliver his final blow.
Taking advantage of the fact that the other was on the ground and somewhat dazed, he easily lifted him by the neck and left the base, flying while he was holding him, and threatening to let him fall at any moment.

"Take this as a lesson Autobot, don't face things you can't handle, you are weak, someone who can disappear easily, someone who failed to save his loved ones, we Decepticons, we are much more superior. May you to be clear"

The red mech was trying to loosen its grip on his neck, thinking that this could kill him more than a fall. He didn't pay as much attention to the jet's words, but he still felt that it humiliated him. Finally, he dropped him, laughing as a last act before disappearing as he fell into part of the forest and the vacant lot.

Chapter Text

He was wandering around where he had fallen, he could still stand but he was literally about to collapse. Completely tired, emaciated, injured and humiliated; He did not manage to accomplish what he wanted, he did not manage to do something as easy as pulling the trigger and ending the suffering of his fallen comrades, of his comrades who followed, of his loved ones, of himself. He felt terrible, physically and psychologically. He could have let himself collapse there, let his spark go out at will, but just as if it were a call or a light of hope, he saw him.

He saw his partner, he saw Mirage; he was calling him, looking for him as if he were lost. He was the one in front, because he saw that he was followed by Hound and Jazz, but the one who seemed most worried and determined to look for him was Mirage.
The noblemech saw him back, and his expression could not be more worried, in shock, he was seeing his beloved bot almost on the verge of death, but still there. The blue mech ran towards him, and knelt down to be at his height so he could catch him before he fell.

"Cliffjumper! Are you... Oh my Primus, what... What happened to you?"

The red mech couldn't articulate any words, only feel something similar to relief to see that he was there, someone he trusted and loved was there. Weakly hugged him and let himself fall on him, at first enjoying the hug, just wanting to stay there as if nothing else had happened, nothing of the war, nothing of the losses. And then that feeling of guilt increased, of what Starscream had told him, of what he had not been able to do. He held on as much as his strength would allow and then he just passed.

He broke.

It was not usual for him to appear "weak", his feelings always ranged between feeling frustrated or angry with situations that went wrong, sad if it was someone he cared about directly as it was with Bumblebee or Mirage. But he had never, ever broken down emotionally, much less in front of someone he loved and the last thing he would have wanted was to worry him. But it's like he couldn't hold it in anymore, hold in everything he felt.
It started as a discreet sob and then, as Cliffjumper clung closer to him, it increased and became a noticeable, uncontrolled cry. His tears came out of the optics uncontrollably and he screamed, clinging tighter and tighter as if the mech were her only anchor to the ground.
Mirage was equally taken by surprise, and more distressed on the contrary, he couldn't do much just be there for him. He kept him there without letting him fall, not knowing what to do to help. Seeing his lover in that state was the last thing he expected. But that didn't stop him from being there to support him, he remained silent, only reciprocating the hug and letting the other vent as much as he wanted; finally he heard some words as the crying began to subside, with a very tired voice.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't, I couldn't..."

He understood immediately what he meant by that, with the context he had been given of why he had probably gone out, he understood what his sentence was referring to. However, before he could say anything, the grip lessened, becoming weak. The bot fell unconscious in his arms. Probably due to fatigue or his condition, of course, he must be losing energon.

Mirage quickly became alarmed, picked him up as he took a closer look at what he was like, and carried him, running back to the Ark. The other two bots, seeing the state of their companion, also became worried, but followed the other's path.

"He needs to be attended, now."

It could be that some in the base were expecting or not the state of the reddish, some did show concern when seeing Cliffjumper like this; but others did not hide their surprise and murmured among themselves that it was not expected that the mech would end up like this. Mirage only sent them a look of hatred while he was more focused on getting Cliffjumper repaired in the medical bay. Hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst.

"Please."

"We're working as fast as we can, he's going to be fine. His spark isn't off." The doctor of the team responded, trying to calm the invisible one.

But he couldn't allow himself to be calm at a time like this, not without knowing what exactly had happened to Cliffjumper; what things had happened with the Decepticons, how they hurt him, to reach the state where he had an emotional breakdown in front of him. He had to protect him, wanted to take care of him and be there for him when he was in a better state and could tell him what he needed before he fainted in front of him.

Mirage did not separate at any time, not even when they wanted to take him out to attend to what was serious, he stayed and would stay there until he was stable and woke up. He stayed by his side even when he should have gone to recharge, but not knowing what the red mech would be like simply put him off.

The next morning, Cliffjumper was better, still recharging while Mirage was still there, caressing his yelm and looking at him sweetly, although worried. As soon as he woke up, he would be in charge of listening to him, supporting him in everything that had happened. Maybe this same feeling was what his partner felt when something happened to someone important.

The minibot woke up suddenly, as if he had been still worried about something. But the force with which he stood up caused both of their helmets to collide, making a metallic noise. Mirage rubbed his own and Cliffjumper's yelm to lessen the initial blow, then refocused on the red mech and its condition.

"Where, me, what?" he said somewhat bewildered

"Cliff, you're in the Ark, don't worry."

The minibot sighed between a mixture of relief and disappointment. He flopped back onto the berth in the medical bay, facing away. He had been rescued, he had not died, but the Seeker's words had remained in his processor like a mark, his own actions of what he could not do were going to torment him throughout the war, and that guilt would only remain there as a constant reminder. Was feeling bad.

The noblemech stared at him for several seconds, remembering what he had looked like before they took him back, how he broke down in front of him and cried. He stayed silent, just stroking his yelm as he had done before, gently. Didn't see it prudent to suddenly ask him what had happened, first he wanted to show him that was there, so that he wouldn't worry.

"How are you feeling? We found you quite hurt" he asked sweetly.

Cliffjumper didn't know what to say to him, he felt like there was a lump in his throat remembering everything, he simply nodded and said, "good." That didn't totally convince the opposing mech; hr made some room to sit on the berth next to him, carefully lifting him up so he was also sitting and leaning on it. The minibot, sensing this, leaned against the blue's chassis, giving a long sigh. Mirage went back to petting him, hugging him, he didn't mind being silent as long as he could give Cliffjumper some comfort, that he was okay. At some point Mirage was going to ask him what had happened, but first he wanted him to feel comfortable.
Then he heard his barely audible voice, as if he wanted to hide it, a single sentence.

"I'm weak, I couldn't..."

It took him by surprise, but he only held him tighter in the hug. "You're not weak, you're one of the strongest mechs I know." he started saying.

"I couldn't shoot, I couldn't finish him" Cliffjumper continued saying, but now in a voice that could be heard clearly, it was a mix between a brittle and angry tone. "I wanted to finish him off so badly... For what? So that in the end I couldn't even move?"

"Cliff, I'm sure-"

"Nothing should have happened like this! I should have shot, he didn't have to massacre me, he didn't have to humiliate us... Not even what happened to Bee or you should have happened!"

He shouted, separating himself from the blue mech, giving a long sigh trying to calm down. Mirage was only further shocked, and distraught over the state of the red one. Not the physical condition, since he felt better, but everything that was going through his processor.

"You shouldn't have gone to rescue me... Or seen..." he muttered, covering his face, sounding embarrassed. Mirage sighed, looking at him saddened but still willing to be there. He gently took his servo, uncovering her face, while giving her soft optics. Comfortable

<"Is that what you were like when I found you?"

The minibot nodded wordlessly, looking down

"You don't have to be ashamed for what happened, for having expressed yourself. Cliff, everyone in the war goes through difficult times, ups and downs. Just because it happened to you doesn't make you a weak mech. Just because you couldn't shoot him could have passing anyone, killing someone is always difficult... For me it still is even though cycles have passed since the war began."

His other servo moved to position himself on the other's side, bringing him closer to him. The blue one continued looking at him with those soft optics, and his words full of comfort and love.

"You don't have to face what happened alone, you don't have to keep all that to yourself. Cliff, as long as I'm here, you can always trust me, I've told you before. I don't want to see you hurt, I don't want to see you depressed; but if it happens case, I want to be there to support you, so you can free yourself."

Cliffjumper was still silent, but looking straight at him, trying to hide the fact that his optics were threatening to start accumulating tears.

"It matters more that you're here, alive. Not what happens to Starscream or any of the Decepticons. At some point you'll make it, we'll make the war end and you won't have to worry about what they say or don't say; but you can't do everything. Always go into battle alone, because you want to protect others or because you hate them. You must, you must have someone to trust."

"I'm tired of all this...That's why I want to end it now. I'm tired of losses, of losing those I love"

He gently brought him closer to him again, in a hug like a few moments ago. In a way to snuggle him against him. Cliffjumper held on again as he closed his optics, only sensing that Mirage was there.

"I don't want to lose you either, I would die before knowing that your spark went out, I love you... I love you so much; it hurts me to know everything you've been through, everything you've felt... But you don't have to face it alone anymore, together we will overcome anything, these battles, any problem with the Decepticons, everything."

It's like he broke down again, he started to sob lightly, with his yelm against the chassis of the blue, once again bringing out everything he felt but now with support and a correct environment. They stayed in an embrace for quite a while, just being there, they both didn't need anything else. Only the support that they both had for each other, the support that Mirage would begin to provide more frequently to Cliffjumper, because he knew more than ever that Cliffjumper needed it and that the other had already given his partner in past situations, that both of them could be there for each other. the other.

"Thank you..." the red mech said in a somewhat duller, but calm voice.

"I love you more than my words could have told you, you don't have to thank me for anything." He responded by placing a small kiss on his forehead.

"I love you too, maybe that's why I did what I did."

Mirage gave a small sigh with a smile, kissing him softly again, with the other reciprocating.

The days might start to get better, maybe that feeling of what he felt against the Decepticons wouldn't go away, but at least he had someone who could always give him comfort.