"...Then I will be here. For as long as you need me to be," was the response, the words accompanied by a quiet cycling of his vents as his spark ached and pulsed all at once, a torrent of emotions clouding his senses and systems.

He wanted so much but he knew he couldn't--knew that it wasn't--

"...Max?" he murmured, optics brightening a touch. "Are you alright?"