Cyclonus x Tailgate
Because I'm in the mood to write something depressing/happy
———

The shouts of the other crew members were ignored as Tailgate sprinted away from the ship. The only thing on his mind was Cyclonus. He had to find Cyclonus.

Explosions and gunfire made his audio receptors ring. The ground shook, threatening to knock him off balance. Yet he was still determined. It was absolutely chaotic out there. Tailgate could barely tell who was good and who was bad.

The little bot spotted Ratchet crouched behind cover, but lost sight of him when another explosion hit. That one knocked him clear off his pedes. As he slowly pushed himself up, a flash of purple caught his optic and he almost shrieked in joy.

It was Cyclonus.

"Tailgate! What the hell are you doing out here?!" Cyclonus snapped, but his tone wasn't harsh. His expression was that of extreme worry instead of anger.

"I needed to find you! I couldn't just stand by and let this happen!" Tailgate replied, clinging tightly to Cyclonus and hugging him. "You're not leaving my side again!"

Cyclonus was about to protest, but someone's shout stopped him.

"Sniper! Watch out!"

The purple mech realized he was exposed in the middle of the battlefield along with Tailgate, who still wouldn't let go of him. He acted quickly and tore the little mech away from his frame, throwing him out of harm's way. He hardly had any time to move before a bullet blew straight through his chassis.

Tailgate hit the ground and rolled before pushing himself up, looking just in time to see Cyclonus get shot. He swore his spark stopped right then and there. "Cyclonus! No!"

It was like everything went quiet after that. The explosions died down, the gunfire ceased as the unknown enemy retreated from the battlefield. It was eerily quiet, too quiet for Tailgate's liking.

The little bot raced over to Cyclonus the moment he could, sliding down on his knees and looking over the purple mech. He could feel tears building in his optics and he choked back a sob as he frantically searched for any sign of life. "Cyclonus... get up! You can't leave me like this!" Tailgate pleaded, feeling a panic attack coming on as he began to shake and sob. "I-I need y—you, Cyclonus! P-Please!"

Tailgate didn't care if he got energon all over him. He hauled Cyclonus up into his lap and held him close, trembling even harder as more sobs racked his frame. Cyclonus wasn't dead.... he couldn't be!

Ratchet soon came over, trying to console Tailgate before eventually having to pull him away from Cyclonus's limp frame. He had the others keep Tailgate away while he quickly brought the purple mech to the Medbay, seeing if there was a way he could save the poor mech.

———

It had been days since Tailgate had last seen Cyclonus and he had been crying almost nonstop. He couldn't sleep, he refused to eat, and his panic attacks were getting worse. Even Rung couldn't help him cope.

Unknown to him, Cyclonus was in fact still alive.

Ratchet had managed to keep him online after a few scares and now he was on the slow road to recovery. Cyclonus had flatlined at least twice, but Ratchet was able to revive his systems both times. It was a terrible strain on Cyclonus's body and the medic knew he had to keep a close optic on him.

It would probably be another few days before Cyclonus would wake up...

———

Tailgate nearly fainted when he heard the news. Cyclonus was alive! The little bot couldn't stop freaking out as he ran to the Medbay, ignoring the shouts of surprise from the others as he blasted past them.

He practically threw the door open when he finally got there, trotting over to Ratchet and tugging on his arm. "Let me see him! Where is he? Oh... he's probably so scared! Wait.. Cyclonus isn't scared of anything!" He ranted, his excitement getting the best of him before he could calm down.

Ratchet chuckled and pat Tailgate on the head. "Calm down, he's over here." He said, leading Tailgate into a room and closing the door behind him.

Tailgate eagerly walked into the room, immediately going over to the medberth and climbing up onto it. He ignored Ratchet's scolding and promptly wrapped his arms around Cyclonus's neck in a hug. "Cyclonus! Don't you ever do that to me again!"

Cyclonus winced, but chuckled and wrapped an arm around the little mech. "I only did it to save you.. I don't think I could live with myself if something happened to you..." he mumbled.

"Well you don't have to throw yourself into danger because of me! I won't allow it!" Tailgate huffed, practically clinging to Cyclonus like he was going to lose him again. "Promise you won't leave me for real."

"I promise, little one. But I will always protect you with my life. Remember that." Cyclonus replied softly, gently kissing Tailgate's helm.

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