If anything's a constant in his life, it's certainly that Ironhide will be there, and that Ironhide will take the hit as needed. Something Optimus...wishes he could prevent anyway. But there's no stopping life from continuing.

He feels the touch of that shoulder, though, systems immediately relaxing at it. "As good as can be expected. This place is confusing, and I think I need to head out to the outskirts again to talk to the planet."