Ratchet hesitates for a long, helpless moment, watching Drift's expression crumple like tinfoil around the shape of the blow he'd struck, but he's reaching out before he really thinks about it, crossing the distance between them until his hand is on Drift's shoulder, the other settling flat against Drift's upper chest to brace him.

"That's what Rodimus meant," he says quietly, knowing Drift had heard him and unable to repeat what he'd said. "About me leaving to go after you. ...that's why."