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Cheetor would live.
That was something that Rhinox had repeated over and over again.
Cheetor would live, he would be fine.
So Optimus didn’t need to stay by Cheetor’s side.
…
He did anyway.
*
“Rhinox! We need the medbay ready for Cheetor!”
Cheetor had just transformed back into beast mode, having taken some bad shots by the Predacons.
Dinobot and Rattrap had managed to drive them off, and that left Optimus flying back to the Axalon with a heavily injured Cheetor, barely conscious.
“Cheetor! Stay awake!”
Cheetor moaned. “…’m tired…”
“I know Cheetor, but you have to stay awake, you have to.”
Energon dripped from his plating, scars present on his beast mode.
“Stay awake, Cheetor.”
*
Rhinox had fixed Cheetor up, and he was able to rest. Based on how much Cheetor was struggling to stay awake initially, he would likely be recharging for quite some time.
Optimus sat beside Cheetor’s bed, watching his chest rise and fall. He just wanted to be there in case something happened.
He didn’t want to possibly lose Cheetor.
Cheetor made a small noise, and Optimus went on defense mode. Cheetor’s face was scrunched up before it relaxed.
Oh. Must’ve just been a dream. Nothing more.
Optimus sighed and relaxed back into his seat, continuing to watch Cheetor.
He knew he should get some recharge at some point.
Some point.
He doubted that he would get any.
*
Cheetor awoke slowly, his body still hurting.
Oh, right, they were attacked…
He looked over to his side, and saw Optimus in a chair beside him.
It looked like he had fallen into recharge beside him. It must be uncomfortable recharging in a chair like that, but Optimus had chosen to stay beside him during the night.
His spark warmed.
He really did have a great leader.