Archive of Our Own ^beta

Autobots: (This is mostly Optimus-centred but I included most of the Autobots reactions because this first part was already too long to repeat for each separate character – I’ve also made it platonic)
Also PLEASE keep in mind that I’ve only seen short clips of G1, which is why I don’t write for them often, so the characters may seem a little OOC – if they are I apologise but it’s the best I could do

• Ooooh boy, they’re not gonna like that
• Let’s say you’re Optimus’s bestie (along with the other autobots ofc)
• And let’s keep in mind that G1 Optimus is not as calm/ level headed as TFP Optimus and not as ‘death/kill/angry/rage’ as Bayverse Optimus
• So he’s not gonna go round on the battle field murdering left right and centre
• But he’s also not gonna just stand there
• He’s more likely to turn towards the loud gunshot behind him and watch as your body hits the ground and take a moment
• Like it’s not gonna click instantly
• He probably thinks you’ve been shot in the leg and he waits a second for you to scream or writhe around in pain
• But then your body lops to the side and he sees your eyes frozen wide in shock, with a gaping bullet hole still sizzling and steaming away in the middle of your forehead
• And when I say it hits them all
• It hits them
• HARD
• Optimus sort of just stumbles for a moment cuz he can feel every part of himself short-circuit
• He also thought his audio receptors had stopped working
• But no
• It’s the battlefield
• It’s dead silent
• Everyone seems to have just stopped
• He can’t see (cuz he literally cannot take his eyes off your body) but Prowl and Ratchet are nearest
• And they’re desperate to run to him but the fact that he’s so still
• Ratchet doesn’t dare go near you for a hot minute because it’s not normal for Optimus to be still for that long.
• Prowl’s too busy trying to see who shot you, and eventually he spies the steaming barrel of the gun from across the field and he’s instantly seeing red
• The decepticon that owns said gun doesn’t look any better
• You can practically hear him from how much he’s shaking
• Eventually, the dead silence is broken
• “What did you do?”
• It’s Megatron
• He might be Optimus’s sworn enemy
• But he knows when to not cross a line
• As in murder Optimus’s closest friend
• Megatron only murmured it since he was only frozen in place a few metres away
• But it was loud enough to break whatever spell Optimus was under
• Both decepticons watched in terror as Optimus’s head snapped towards them, his optics wide and glowing brighter than ever
• And you know what’s even worse?
• His face guard is gone
• Sheathed away and full face on display
• Now, let’s clarify that you, are the only person in the existence of ever, to know what he looks like under the mask
• And the fact that everyone can see his full face right now shows exactly how out of control his emotions are right now
• He’s heaving, he’s shaking, and there’s coolant streaming down his face because guess what cybertronians can cry
• In his millions of years fighting wars, Megatron can’t recall a time he’s ever seen such despair on a bots face
• Let alone on Optimus
• The sounding of creaking metal brings everyone’s attention back on Optimus
• And it takes a moment for everyone to realise where the noise is coming from but soon enough they watch as his servo tightens even more around his axe, the creaking noise becoming louder
• And all of a sudden everyone’s like:
• Oh shit
• The decepticon that shot you is like
• Shit shit shit shit
• And Megatron accepts he’s gonna be a Con down after today because looking at the state that Prime is in he knows it’s not worth it
• He looks to the Con who is pleading for help with his eyes and just shrugs
• “I think you’re on your own now :)”
• Megatron along with everyone else takes a step back as Optimus begins to move
• He’s not running, no
• Just walking
• His optics not moving from the con in front of him as he strides over.
• Eventually the con drops his gun with a cry and frantically runs into the woods behind him
• But Optimus keeps his speed at walking pace
• Which is even more terrifying
• Megatron just moves aside raising his hands in surrender as he passes
• Because a heaving, blank-faced, mask-less Optimus unconsciously dragging a weapon behind him is not something he wants to try and pester right now
• Soon Optimus disappears into the woods after the Con
• And everyone remains silent and unmoving as they listen
• Pedesteps every now and again are heard from within the trees
• Minutes pass and no one is yet to move, too occupied with straining their audials for a noise
• Though it isn’t long until everyone flinches as a terrified shriek rips through the air, causing the birds to scatter
• A string of frantic pleads of help follow
• Until they are replaced with screams as loud clangs of metal on metal are heard
• But soon the screams are drowned out by the clangs and soon enough the sounds of the Con are no more
• But the clanging doesn’t stop
• It just keeps going in a steady rhythm
• Until one final loud smash reverberates through the air
• And it is silent once again
• Everyone else takes this as their cue
• Megatron instantly transforms and takes off
• And it isn’t long before the rest of the Decepticons follow, leaving the Autobots to themselves
• The following silence is soon broken as Ratchet finally moves towards your body
• Wiping the coolant that won’t seem to stop streaming down his face, he kneels down to scoop your lifeless form into his arms
• Prowl drags himself over to you both, his pedes never feeling so heavy
• With a dark solemn look on his faceplates, he stares at your corpse in the medics arms
• After a moment, he slowly lifts his servo towards your face, where your face is still frozen in a terrified expression
• And as gently as he can, he takes two digits and places them above your optic lids before sliding them closed
• That seemed to be a tipping point for Ratchet as he broke down in heaving sobs
• His frame trembling as he tried to keeps both himself and you balanced as everyone around looked at him in both surprise and pity
• This is a first because Ratchet is probably the least likely to react so emotionally to death
• He been witnessing it almost every day for the past few million years after all
• But you were someone special
• Someone he thought would be the last person to die so suddenly
• Someone he thought he would have time to save, and time to grieve
• But that’s what war does
• It has no mercy with anyone
• No matter who someone is and how special they are
• And Ratchet thought he had come to terms with that idea
• But the scene he gave showed everyone he hadn’t quite accepted it fully
• Prowl wanted to break down too
• He wanted to scream into the heavens and beyond, cursing out those who took you from them but also hoping you could hear him
• A sign to show that you were still here with them
• But he knew it would prove useless
• And with Ratchet gone too far into his own mind
• He knew it was his turn to be the level headed one
• Now wasn’t the time to flip tables and punch walls
• He didn’t want to show his emotional instability in front of the others
• So he joined Ratchet by his side, a servo slowly soothing up and down the medic’s trembling back struts.
• He noted that Optimus still hadn’t returned from the woods
• But that wasn’t who he was concerned about at the moment
• As if on cue, three sets of bouncing footsteps along with energised voices were heard as they got nearer
• Everyone tensed at the sound, and slowly turned towards the outstretch of cliff nearby where the voices owners would soon be revealed
• Prowl left Ratchet’s side after one last reassuring pat, leaving the now slightly calmer bot to cradle you
• Turning the corner, he was met with two bright sets of yellow and one red
• Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had returned from their reconnaissance, playing and shoving at each other joyously after a seemingly successful mission, ready to hear what had become of the fight they missed
• Though that all halted when they caught sight of a silent Prowl who was suspiciously not scolding them for returning so late
• Coming to a stop, they eyed him, Sideswipe talking first:
• “We just saw Megatron and his goons flying away! Did you flip enough tables to scare them off or something?”
• That set the three of them into another fit of giggles
• But coming to a stop again at the sight of Prowls door wings not springing up in frustration like they usually do
• “Say Prowl, what’s got your tailpipe in a twist?” Sunstreaker piped up
• Prowl opened his mouth, and got exactly one vowel out before going silent again. He did this several times before eventually giving up.
• Ok this was different
• Prowl always has something to reply with
• “What happened.” Demanded Bumblebee
• Despite being a joyous bot, Bumblebee knew when it was time to be serious, and Prowl being lost for words meant that only the worst could have happened
• Prowl tried to reply again, but his voice box betrayed him for a second time
• Without a second thought Bumblebee strode ahead, brushing aside Prowls outstretched servo and rounded the corner
• At a first glance all he could see was every bot crowded around something, but when he called out they all parted to reveal something he wished he could never see
• A pained cry of despair echoed throughout the forested valley, and Sideswipe and Sunstreaker didn’t hesitate for a second as they sprinted around the corner to their friend with Prowl hot on their heels
• The sight before them was the one thing they never wanted
• Bumblebee was being held back as he tried to reach for whatever Ratchet had in his arms, howling and crying out as he stretched his arm as far as he could
• The two bots rushed to try and help the others in restraining him, but both stumbled in shock as they caught sight of your lifeless corpse
• Soon the bots had to be divided as they wrestled the three young bots that were wailing in anguish for their friend
• Bumblebee had given up at this point, his head on Prowls shoulder as he stared at you with a glazed unmoving expression
• The twins were worse off, crying and screaming in everyone’s faces until their voice boxes gave out, demanding what had happened and why they weren’t able to save you, why Ratchet wasn’t able to save you, but all the bots and the medic could do was look down to not make any further eye contact.
• Not long after the screaming match another set of footsteps were heard getting nearer, and a hush fell over everyone, including the twins after pleas from the others, as they all stared at the silhouette emerging from the foliage
• As the bot moved into the sunlight, everyone’s optics widened at the sight
• Optimus had returned, but he was barely recognisable
• Well
• You could still tell it was him
• But his paintjob was almost unidentifiable
• Blue and red peeked through the streaks and smears of pink and magenta, the energon from the unlucky con splattered all over his frame
• The worst parts were on his axe and up his arms, his paintjob covered almost entirely with energon still dripping from those areas along with chunks of metal that slowly slid down his frame, looking suspiciously similar to the con’s paintjob
• The most horrifying part, though, was his axe
• Which looked like it had come straight out of a horror movie
• Through the energon and bits of metal that covered the blades, one half seemed to have bent, the blade curving in a way that would fit a cybertronians head shape after hitting it with the force of a mountain
• Which is probably what happened
• It’s also probably what made that extra load bang at the end
• But no one really cared about that
• They were too busy trying to figure out what Optimus would do next
• Which was a bit difficult considering he was just standing there not saying a word and just staring ahead into the distance
• A beat passed before shuffling was heard and Bumblebee broke away from Prowls embrace and rushed towards the Prime
• Despite everyone wanting to stop him, they were too scared of going near Optimus at this point
• Reaching Optimus, Bumblebee threw himself around him, not caring about the height difference
• This seemed to bring Prime out of his trance, half lidded optics looking down at the smaller bot
• Though it wasn’t long before Optimus gently pried Bumblebee’s servos away, holding them in his own
• The bots watched albeit tense as the taller bot stared down at his smaller companion
• All it took was for Bee to look up whilst blinking back tears of coolant for Optimus to drop his axe with a clang and scoop him into his arms, their helms buried into each other’s neck cables, and Bumblebee’s sobbing started up again
• After a minute, they pulled away from each other, and Bee tried to say something through the hiccupping of his voice box, but the Prime stopped him with a servo on his shoulder and a small smile that was far from reaching his optics
• Which everyone could see since he had yet to re-engage his mask
• But they made sure not to bring it up
• Soon Optimus was back on his pedes and picking up his axe, gently leading Bumblebee back to the group
• Reaching Ratchet, he placed a servo on his shoulder
• “Let’s get them back to the ship old friend.”

Decepticons: (This one’s a bit shorter I’m afraid – I struggled with coming up with anything for anyone else so this is more headcanon-y)
Warnings: Character Death (AKA YOU), Heavy Descriptions of Gore, Themes of Grieving and Depression.

• Now with the decepticons it can be a little different
• Depending on what kind of relationship you’ve formed and with who
• The Autobots are all tight knit in some way
• Whereas with the cons
• You could’ve been working with them for eons
• But if you’re just another soldier that has been recruited
• Then those higher up aren’t gonna bat an optic
• They might notice your posts being replaced
• But that’s it
• However
• If you’re higher ranking and have formed some type of relationship with them
• Then things are going to go down differently

• Soundwave would be inconsolable for a while
• The only ones allowed near him were his minicons
• Who would scuttle out his berthroom to grab some energon for their robodad, before quickly disappearing back into the dark room
• He wouldn’t come out until Megatron demanded entry
• And the minocons along with a few others would wait around the corner in the corridor
• Tying to get within earshot but failing nonetheless
• Megatron then walked out, not bothering with the troops who scattered as soon as he appeared
• It would be another day before Soundwave would emerge
• But he wouldn’t answer anyone about how he was
• He simply got on with his tasks as he did before
• Overworking so much that he would have to be dragged to recharge
• Life would resume as normal
• But during his weekly spying sessions through the security cameras
• Starscream would note the pauses the quiet con would take
• Each time in the exact same spot
• Standing in front of the doors to the comms room where you had worked
• Staring in as if he was looking for you to spring out on him
• But you never did

• Speaking of Starscream
• It’s a bit of a 50/50 with him
• You could be any rank
• And considering how desperate he is to overthrow Megatron and lead the Decepticons
• There’s a chance that he could be so obsessed and caught up in his scheming
• That he just doesn’t have the spare time to get to know you or basically care about you in any way
• But if we went with the other half
• And you were someone he had befriended and roped into his overthrowing plans
• Then your death would throw him off track big time
• It would take him forever to comprehend the fact that the one con he could trust properly on his ship was in pieces that were now drifting somewhere through space
• To the other cons he was just being himself after your death
• So just annoying
• Complaining how he now had to figure out how to achieve the tasks he had set you for universal dominance as well as his own
• But the heaving sobs and wails that echoed through the ships corridors late at night said otherwise
• Ravage made the unlucky mistake of walking in on Starscream as he curled up underneath his desk
• Though not much time was spent inside as Ravage high tailed it out of there, narrowly dodging something being thrown as the seeker screamed for them to get out
• Skywarp and Thundercracker had a hard time as well
• Feeling the immense grief flowing through the bond of their trine mate’s spark as they watched him brush you off as just another accomplice in front of everyone else

• Now
• Onto boss man
• Megatron would practically explode
• He would be throwing himself into every battle and every autobot he can get his servos on
• The one commander, apart from soundwave, he could trust with his life
• Gone
• In a puff of smoke
• Well..
• More like an explosion
• AKA you were blasted to smithereens before he could pull you free from the collapsing power reactor
• He would be frozen in place, your decapitated servo still grasped in his own
• Bits of wiring and armour plating surrounding him on the floor
• Along with the pink flames of your energon that had ignited as it hit the burning debris
• He doesn’t quite remember what happened next
• All he could recall were flashes of the bodies of other autobots as he tore them apart
• And he found himself sat in the medbay, glaring unfocused at the metal floor
• And now, in his berth room eons later, he still finds himself staring at the floor
• Feeling as useless as the glass case that sat upon his shelf
• Where a single servo laid, refusing to rust